PM Transcripts

16 JAHW~
STATEMENT BY SENATOR GORTON ON HIS ELECTION
AS LEADER OF THE LIBERAL PARTY
PAR LIAMENT HOUSE. CANBERRA OTH JANUARY, 196C
I think that you will all realise that this is not really the
occasion for a press conference which would delve quite deeply Into a
number of matters that this is not the appropriate time to deal with.
All I want to say to you and to those who may be looking at
this programme is this. This is quite an awe-inspiring thing, using
awe-inspiring in its true sense, to happen to a man In some ways it
Is a little overwhelming. I am not yet the Prime Minister of Australia, but I want to
talk to you, and any of those who are watching if they will forgive the
presumption as If I were the Prime Minister of Australia. Tomorrow
I have no doubt that we will continue In this country as we should,
arguments, perhaps quite bitter arguments, as to the goals this country
ought to seek, as to the methods of obtaining those goals, as to the
differing priorities which might be put on different fields of national
endeavour. That is tomorrow.
In this moment I want to talk to all Australians, ar-Australiaqs,
not as adherents of this party or of that. And I want to say to them
thit I believe these last few days have shown it Is true that our
common history and our common future show that in this nation the things
that unite are infinitely greater than the things that divide.
It is not going to be an easy task for me. but to Australians
I would now say this in this moment They can be sure that I will try
my best, and I will look to them for the strength successfully to conclude
what we start which from within myself alone I thimk I could not get. And that
is all I want to say at this stage and at this point of time.
Thank you all.