PRIME MINISTER 78/ 95
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
SENATOR ALSTON'S ATTACK ON MY WIFE
Senator Alston's attack on my wife, Annita, over her role as the patron of the
Sydney Symphony Orchestra's European tour exposes the low, vindictive quality
of Liberal Party politics. It is a churlish smear the hallmark of the modern
Liberal Party.
My wife was invited to accompany the orchestra on its first European tour in
years; to act as its patron on the tour, and thereby to promote the tour, the
orchestra and Australia. She is proud to be able to assist the orchestra in this
way just as the management of the orchestra is delighted that she is able to
accompany them in her official capacity as the Prime Minister's wife.
During the tour, Annita will do all she can to promote the orchestra, through
publicity, by attending formal receptions for the orchestra, and by attending, and
sometimes introducing, concerts.
Her role on this tour will be similar to her role as a Government representative at
the Barcelona Olympics, and her role as an advocate for the Sydney Olympic bid
at Monte Carlo.
That Senator Alston should have used my wife's involvement in this important
cultural project to attack her and through her, me is typically sleazy. As the
Shadow Minister for Communications and the Arts, he should hang his head in
shame. His leader, John Howard, should dissociate himself from Alston's tactics
and rebuke him, or stand accused of condoning him.
Contrary to today's breathless account in The Sydney Morning Herald, no
$ 1 ,000-a-night hotel rooms and no $ 4,000 limousines have been booked. Any
costs associated with Mrs Keating's official travel will be duly collated and tabled
in Parliament in the usual manner for all such travel by Federal Government
representatives. In answer to one of Senator Alston's insulting questions: Mrs
Keating will not receive a cent of remuneration for her work as a cultural
ambassador on the tour.
I would have hoped The Sydney Morning Herald would have displayed more
support for such an exciting and challenging tour by this great Sydney and
Australian cultural institution.
CANBERRA 9 AUGUST, 1995
Keating, Paul
Period of Service: 20/12/1991 - 11/03/1996
Find more information on Keating, Paul on the:
Release Date:
09/08/1995
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
9690
Document:
00009690.pdf
1 Page(s)
Released by:
- Keating, Paul John
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP SENATOR ALSTON'S ATTACK ON MY WIFE
9690