PM Transcripts

, A S TXALIA(
PRIME MCNISTER PRESS STATE'ENT NO. 492
9 APRIL 1975
INTER-STATE COMMISSION ( QUEENSLAND RELEASE ONLY)
The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, today dismissed suggestions
that the establishment of an Inter-State Commission might affect
transport costs in Queensland.
He rejected claims by the Queensland Premier that the
Inter-State Commission could result in increased rail
freights. He denied that industries in North Queensland would
be disadvantaged. " The Inter-State Commission is certainly not a plot to
take-over Queensland's railways," Mr Whitlam said.
" Mr Bjelke-Petersen knows full well that there can be no
take-over of State railways any State railways by the
Commonwealth acting alone.
" Section 51 of the Constitution provides for the consent
of the State, on terms which are satisfactory to both parties,"
he said. Mr Whitlan said the revival of the Inter-State Commission
had been supported by many non-Labor politicians, in particular,
Queensland's. Mr Killen.
As recently as March 11 this year, Mr Killen had supported
the idea in a speech to the Brisbane Press Club, the Prime
Minister said.
Mr Whitlam pointed out that the Inter-State Commission
had been written into the original Constitution in 1901.
" In terms of our federal system which the Queensland
Premier is usually so anxious to defend, there could be nothing
more legitimate that the revival of the Inter-State Commission,"
he said.