PM Transcripts

I PRIME MINISTER ( OVA~
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
NATIVE TITLE ACT
Mr Downers position on abolishing the Native Title Act has revealed that he is a weak
leader without vision, without policies and without a commitment to social cohesion and
social justice.
Mr Downer saw the opportunity to deliver a cheap political line in Western Australia and took
it at the expense of one of the most important pieces of legislation ever enacted in this
country. He is attempting to create damaging uncertainty for what he sees as short termn political gain.
He has treated the Aboriginal people with contempt in exchange for some fleeting applause
at a party conference. He is clearly trying to be all things to all people and told the Western
Australian Uberals what he thought they wanted to hear.
It is a further indication that Mr Downer has no policies and stands for nothing.
What are the implications of Mr ' Downeres position on Mabo? Is he saying that he d ioes not
accept the High Court decislon on Naiv~ title? Is he' saying that worse than having no
policy he is simply happy to do what state Premiers, "' especially Richard Court', tell him to
do? What would he do after the Act was repealed?
What now of his coming PR stunt in the Northern Territory? Will he tell the aboriginal
people of the Northern Terrior that he is going to wipe out Native Title? Will he tell the
aboriginal people that land is no longer important to them? Will he tell them that they can
have health and education but they can't have land, either through native title rights or the
Land Fund?
Is he going to tell the aboriginal people that Richard Court knows what is best for them?
Mr Downer says he will announce his policies when he wants to, not when the press or I
want him to. Apparently, now he plans to announce policies when Richard Court wants him
to. Not now, not before the election but after the election.
I AUGUST 1994
BRISBANE