RESPONSIBILITY FOR ABORIGINES
FOR PRESS P. M. No. 21/ 1971
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ABCRIGINES
The Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton, today made
the following comment on reported remarks by the Premier of
Queensland about aborigines in that State
" The Commonwealth, and not the States, has the
paramount responsibility for aborigines, as a result of
a decision made by Australian electors at a referendum.
The MVinister for Aboriginal ANairs has been
working closely with State Governments and leaving
the administration of policies to the States. But it
still remains a Commonwealth duty and responsibility
to ensure that discriminatory racial laws do not persist
in Australia."
CANBERRA 19 February 1971
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