PM Transcripts

PRESS STATEMENT NO. 485
4 April 1975
VIETNAM ORPHANS FURTHER REPLIES FROM PREMIERS' ( 2
The New South Wales Premier, Mr Lewis, sent
the following reply:
" my Government will accept children irrespective
of their current state of health or whether they can be
adopted immediately. As indicated over the last few days
this government will accept responsibility for two
thousand children and will give consideration should the
need arise to receive more than this number. Children will
receive medical and if necessary hospital accommodation and be
accommodated when they arrive."
The Tasmanian Premier, Mr Neilson sent the
following message: " I refer to your message this morning in connection
with the adoption of Vietnamese children. I note that the
Vietnamese government is prepared to facilitate arrangements
for the exit of orphan children. With regard to the lack
of documentation I am prepared to accept this, but it will
mean that some of the children will have to remain as
child migrants until adoption is possible. The
medical problem I accept in the emergency that this will be
true and on humanitarian grounds am prepared to agree with
the proposal that Tasmania should undertake to receive the
children and if not acceptable for adoption guarantee their
accommodation and care. Numbers of people already approved and
on the State's waiting list to adopt children have now
indicated willingness to accept Vietnamese children and
the number currently is 30 with more expected. My State
authority, the Department of Social Welfare, will continue
to keep day to day contact with the Australian Department
of Labor and Immigration and will at -the appropriate time
supply information about procedures for reception, placement
and ongoing care for the children. Tasmania is prepared to do
more than its share anj will cooperate in every way with the
Australian Government.
CANBERRA, A. C. T.