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A7 , ar
ial Ippo-t STAMMM" T DY TIR PRIME MINISTER, THE RON P J KEATXWG NU'
MR XCLACHLAN'S RESIGNATION
The Member for Barker has paid the appropriate price for his
gross impropriety. His actions reflected at best a failure
to comprehend the culture and rights of Australian
Aboriginal people, at worst a cynical disregard for them.
The attempts to escape the implications of his actions in
Parliament, beginning with his attack on the Minister for
Aboriginal Affairs, only compounded his offence.
Kv Howard can take no credit in this matter. He showed no
more understanding of the significance of the stolen
documents than Mr McLachlan did in using them so offensively
in Parliament and elsewhere.
His press release and letter to Mr McLachlan indicate that
he still has not grasped the nature of the offence. In both
he refers only to the " political sensitivity" of the matter,
as if the hurt and offence it has caused Aboriginal people
are of no consequence.
It would be reasonable to conclude that while the member for
Barker has run on his sword, neither he nor his leader
understand the implications of the impropriety, and
Australians particularly Aboriginal Australians could be
forgiven for asking if the Coalition itself has any
understanding of them.
BERLIN 10 MARCH, 1995 5.187
Keating, Paul
Period of Service: 20/12/1991 - 11/03/1996
Find more information on Keating, Paul on the:
Release Date:
09/03/1995
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
9508
Document:
00009508.pdf
1 Page(s)
Released by:
- Keating, Paul John
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP MR MCLACHLAN'S RESIGNATION
9508