CO TSTITUTIONAL A. PDI LEGAL~ AFFAIRS BRA: T. CH
BROADCAST: 3HA -21 Nov.
3YB -25 Nov.
J,, AUSTRAiA
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 21 NOVEMBER 1976
ELECTORATE TALK
Australians who believe in the right of elected Governments
to make decisions that affect the welfare of each citizen
will applaude the Victorian Government's decision to proceed
with the Newport Power Station.
It is a question of who controls the vital power supplies
for Melbourne and the rest of Victoria.
The Federal Government supports Mr Hamer's stand, and it's
clear that his government's resolution in this matter has
won wide support throughout the State.
Mr Hamer has been most patient, reasonable and very willing to
listen to argument on this issue. The question of union
activities in the area of vital services has been canvassed
in other parts of Australia over the past week or so.
Mr Wran has indicated a real degree of frustration with what
has been happening in New South Wales. Clearly, this
question is not just confined to one side of the political arena.
GoVernments from both political views are thoroughly fed up
with being held to ransom by a few militant union leaders.
I believe also that the great bulk of the trade union movement
has become disillusioned with the irresponsibility of a few
union officials who are often in comumunist dominated unions.
Our secret postal ballot legislat ion, in operation since August,
places a powerful weapon in the hands of union members, who
become convinced that the actions of their union are contrary
to their own interests.
Most trade unionists know that no section of the community can
adopt attitudes, or try and force attitudes, in isolation from
the rest of the community, without causing lasting harm..
People rightly demand that both business and unions recognise
that they are part of a community, and that they must boconcerned
with the impact of their actions upon other people in
that community. / 12
Today, unions and management have clearly defined social
responsibilities.. Union responsibilities extend much beyond
wage issues for their members. Management responsibilities
extend much beyond providing a place of employment.
Rejection of unreasonable strikes of all kinds from political
strikes to strikes that come from inter-union disputes
are part of the trade union movement social responsibility.
These strikes do nothing more than raise costs, inhibit production
and destroy job opportunities.
But their responsibilities go further. For example, union
journals are almost invariably published in English. This
happens despite the large numbers of non-English speaking
employees in many industries.
Until the union movement does more to close this information
gap between themselves and their migrant members, they can hardly
claim to be adequatel-y representing those members.
Managements, too, have an equal responsibility. Only a few
employers, for example, provide multi-lingual information on
award provisions, working conditions, and company information
for migrant workers. The lack of multi-lingual safety signs
could also well contribute to industrial accidents among
migrant workers.
The needs of other disadvantaged m inorities working mothers,
youth and Aboriginals must also be considered in a practical
way by unions and management.
Government, of course, has' significant responsibilities in
these areas. We have taken positive and effective action in
these areas, but much can be done by unions and management
who have the will to help.
The Government looks for future signs, from both unions and
management, that they will recognise the great social responsibility
they must bear if this nation is to prosper as we would all want.
This week the Government made a significant decision that will
provide for more effective management of the business of
Government particularly in relation to the national economy.
The Government announced that the financial management activites
of the Treasury Department will be separated from its role as
an economic policy analysis and advice source.
In future the financial management and control functions will
be carried out by a newly created Department of Finance.
In effect, the decision means that more concentrated attention
will be given to budget management, development of forward
estimating, the analysis of economic issues and the creation
of economic strategy. 3
In addition, there will be a strengthening of existing
resources available in the Department of Prime Minister and
Cabinet to study the overall effectiveness of Government
programmes. to make sure that those programmes are meeting
the objectives set-for them.
The closest cooperation will, of course, be maintain~ ed
between my own Department and the Department of Treasury
and the new Department of Finance.
The Treasurer, Mr Lynch, of course, remains in charge of
both the Treasury and the new Department of Finance.
The new arrangements will add greatly to Government effectiveness
in dealing responsibly with major economic issues that
face Australia.
There is one other area where we have made significant
changes in the public service structure. In Opposition we
were concerned that certain appointments made to the Public
Service could only introduce, or tend to introduce politics
into the Public Service. We have always been concerned
that appointments to the most senior positions in the Public
Service be made by due process, under proper procedures,
on proper recommendations, from the Public Service.
We do not want to see the Public Service become political
because of the nature of appointments.
As a result we have now established procedures that will make
sure that Governments take proper advice concerning the
appointment of permanent heads. If they follow such advice,
and appoint somebody off a short list, selected by due
process, then that person wil1l become a permanent Public Servant.
But if a government, by whim of its own, by a decision of
its own, wants to choose somebody else, then the Government
can do so, but the person will not have permanent status
and an incoming government would be able to terminate the
appointment.
We believe that that procedure will prevent political appointments
being made to the Public Servi-ce, but if they are made
in the future,' then the appointment will only be for a
short term.
The procedures are being established in the law, and therefore,
they will have to be followed.
My Government has strong views about this particular matter.
We believe that the Public Service must maintain its apolitical
position, so that its most senior people especially are
able to serve Governments of either political party with
loyalty and dedication.
This has been the position in the past in relation to the
Australian Public Service and the legislation I introduced
last week will do much to protect that position in the years to come.
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