PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS : I P. M. No. 51/ 1966
LIBERAL NOMINATIONS PLAN IN QUEENSLAND
Comment by the Prime Minister. Mr. Harold Holt
The Queensland State Division is well known to be
strongly of the view that it should campaign actively through all
areas of Queensland in order to build support for the Party in a
growing State, and to make the policies of the Party more widely
known. It has been the practice for each State Division
of the Liberal Party to decide its own policy on the selection of
candidates and the seats whioh it will contest. W hen the position
of members of the Federal coalition ' Ministry could be affected by
these dtoisions, it has been usual for some discussion to take
place between the Division concerned and the Federal Parliamentary
Leader. I have been in touch with Dr. Hartwig, the President of
the Queensland Division, suggesting that as he will be in Canberra
for the meeting of the Federal Executive to be held on Thursday,
we take the opportunity to have a talk about the matter. He said
he would welcome a discussion between us.
The coalition Government, although drawn from two
Parties, has not at any time functioned along Party lines. WVVe have
developed a very good personal relationship. Our teamwork has been
close, harmonious and co-operative. It follows that I could not
join in opposing loyal Cabinet colleagues in my own Government.
CANBERRA, 8th June, 1966