* U( A PRESS STATEMENT NO. 589
7 November 1975
THE BUDGET -STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER
It's now more than three weeks since the Opposition
in the Senate embarked on its reckless course of blocking the
Budget. It must be quite clear to them by now that their
attempt to subvert the elected Government has failed completely.
Yet wilfully, want~ only, in the face of this knowledge,
with total disregard for the nation's welfare, they persist
in a course which must gravely damage the economy and damage
the national interest a course which will set back by weeks,
by months, the difficult process of economic recovery which
was getting underway.
It is a tragic fact -tragic but true that damage
to the economy has alreadly been done and is already being
felt. Business confidence is already suffering. A grave
blow has alread' been struck to Investment, to stability,
to co~ nsumer spending, and above all to employment. The
Oppos ition's answer to this hardship and confusion is more
political crisis, another election, a campaign which, by
their own invitation, could last six or seven months, with
all the paralysis entailed to normal administration.
I repeat: it is just not on. It is simply no answer.
The-Budget must pass.
I want to make it clear that the Government,
mindful of its duty, is doing everything possible to minimise
hardship and suffering among innocent victims of this crisis.
Public servants, as I have already announced, will be paid in
the normal way on the 13 and 27 November. Thereafter-the
banks the private banks as well as the Commonwealth Bank
and the State Government banks are concerned to ensure that
their custormer, whose incomes are threatened, obtain credit
during this difficult time. The Government welcomes the
statement by the banks that they will do all they can to
provide credit. We shall cooperate with them. That is the
very least we could do for the loyal public servants who are
sticking by their posts. And it is a duty which Mr Fraser
himself acknowledged publicly on Sunday week. He was asked
if the opposition would consider giving public servants
assistance with credit, and he said I quote his words
" We certainly would. I have already said that we would not
want to see any individual, Government employee, hurt or
* damaged as a result of whatis happening." That was his
attitude to the emergency measures perfectly legal and
constitutional measures that we are now taking. personal
./ 2 4.-I: Z)
/ 3
* 2 But I have to say this: individuals are
being hurt. The economy is being hurt. Nothing can
flow from further delay to the Budget but disruption
and economic decline. Mr Fraser must end this farce now.
The nation must return to its normal steady course.
The elected Government must be allowed to govern.
CANBERRA, A. CT.