PM Transcripts

F76/ 57
F . PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS MARCH 24, 1976
Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and Deputy Prime Minister
Doug Anthony, welcomed the fact that Goff Letts, Majority
Leader of the Legislative Assembly, his Deputy Grant Tambling
-and other members had come to Canberra for discuss ions.
Tile discussions had b. Ieen useful and constructive coi-cerning
a number of aspects of concern to Territorians and to the
Legislative Assembly of the Territory.
Amongst major matters discussed was the question of legislation
concerning Aboriginal land rights.
The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister gave a complete
and unequivocal affirmation as had the Minister for Aboriginal
Affairs that there would be full and thorough consultation on all
aspects of the preparation and implementation of the proposed.
legislation.
At the moment the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs was in the
process of preparing a submission to p'it before the Government.
Once the broad guidelines of that submission had been determined
wide-ranging consultations would be necessary with all interested
parties. Out of that consultation, detailed proposals for
legislation would develop.
It 5. s hoped that legislation would be introduced in the Federal
Parliament in this session. It may well be tha~ t the legislation,
once introduced, would require further consultation. Since this
is a matter vitally important for the future development of the
Northern Territory and for all people in the Northern Territory,
the Commonwealth is determined that all views will be taken into
account. * The possibility of complementary Territory legislation
is also a matter that needs to be examined.
The Commonwealth has responsibilities given to it under the
Referendum concerning the future of Aboriginal people, and it
cannot in any sense, abdicate from the responsibilities placed
upon it by that Referendum. However, it has always been the
philosophy of the Liberal and National Country Parties that
problems should be approached cooperatively.
We are committed to working with the States in a spirit of
partnership, cind that applies equally to the Northern Territory
which is destined for Statehood. We will pursue that partnership
constructively.