PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER Press Statement No. 442
February 1975
NEW MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE
The Government has decided to establish a special
committee of ministers which will be concerned primarily
with the Australian Government's relations with the States.
The ministerial committee will comprise the
Prime Minister, the Treasurer, the Minister for Social
Security and the Minister for Urban and Regional Development.
The committee will be supported by a group of officials
drawn from their Departments, working as a task force.
The Australian Government will negotiate a new
five-year financial assistance agreement with the States
before the present agreement expires at the end of the
current financial year.
The Treasurer's consultations with the State
Treasurers which-are now underway, are preliminary steps
towards the negotiation of the new five-year agreement.
As well as being concerned with the Australian
Government's relations with-* the States overall, the
ministerial committee will examine programs of direct
assistance to regions, local Government and local communities.
The Australian Government has laid considerable
stress on the adoption of a regional approach to planning
and decision-making.
It is now time to consolidate the Australian
Government's initiatives. This consolidation involves
further co-operation with State administration.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.