PM Transcripts

PM I41/ 962
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH : EST ' USTRALIA
Staemnt bAcn Prime initr Rt. Hon. John McEwen M. P.
I conferred today in company with the Treasurer, Mr.
Holt, and the Minister for National Development, Senator Spooner
with the Premier of Western Australia, Mr. Brand and the Minister
for the North West, Mr. Court. They put before us various
proposals related to the farther development of the north of
Jestern Australia. It will be recalled that in the speech delivered by the
Governor-General on the occasion of the Opening of Parliament in
February of this year, it was stated on behalf of the Commonwealth
Government that we believe in the development of the north of
Australia, a development which we regard as cssential. We
reaffirmed our determination to continue our efforts in that
field, pointed to assistance already given to basic public
works in the north of Australia. Those include, in the case of
Jestern Australia, the Ord River Scheme and the programme of beef
roads. 4e referred also to the important research work being
conducted through the Bureau of Miineral Resources, the Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organization and the Bureau of
Agricultural Economics. said at that time that we would
continue economic and scientific research and survey work with a
view to the production of developmental plans. We recognized that
in these matters the co-operation of the State Governments would
be essential and this would be sought. The present talks are in
accordance with this general statomont of policy.
The proposals put before us by the Premier and Mr. Court
offer, in their judgment, good economic prospects and would
contribute to the strength of the Australian economy either by way
of increased export income earnings or by the replacement of
certain current imports, do have agreed to study these matters
closely with appropriate Commonwealth officers and will arrange,
where that appears desirable, for consultation to take place
between officers of the Cormmonialth Government and the . Jestern
Australian Govrnment. Some of the matters would involve
budgetary provision by the Commonwealth Government and these will
be given appropriate Cabinet consideration.
CANBERRA,
13th June, 1962.