PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS PM. No. 66/ 1971
THE SPRINGBOKS' TOUR
Statement by the Prime Minister, MrWilliam McMahon
The Prime Minister said tonight it was desirable once
again to set out clearly and precisely the Government's attitude to the tour
of the Springboks in Australia.
" The Government is deeply concerned", M~ r McMahon said,
" that three principli cf tae greatest importance for the proper functioning
of responsible government in Australia should be preserved. These
principles are
that the Australian people must have freedom of choice within the
law at all times. Nobody has the right to deny them that freedom.
( ii) that no group or organisation should be permitted to intimidate the
lawful government of the country. The Government rejects
absolutely any attempt by elements in the trad e union movement to
achieve their objectives industrial or otherwise by force and
intimidation.
( iii) that politics and sport should not be tied together and that sporting
organisations should not be under duress from any source for
political motives. A few trade un ion leaders have no right to
attempt to interrupt sporting arrangements.
itI believe the great majority of Australian people shares the
Government's view forcibly expressed by me that apartheid is a repugnant
political and social philosophy.
" Elements of the trade union movement are merely using
apartheid to mislead the public about their real motive which is to impose
their views on the Government an~ d the Australian people by force and
intimidation. " I believe Australians value the principles I have
stated and I also believe they wili jealously guard their world -wide reputation
as sportsmen. " I hope the Springboks' tour will continue to be treated
for what it is an international sporting event which interests a tremendous
number of people.
CANBERRA, 27 June 1971