Broadcast 3HA 15 May
Embargoed until 7.00 p. m. 3YB 19 May
U S T LIA&
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 15 MAY 1977
ELECTORATE TALK
Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This past week has been an
important week for Australia. It has been a week where Australians
have focused on two separate but fundamentally important issues.
The issue with the most immediate impact and the one that has
taken the newspaper headlines has been the strike by the air
traffic controllers. The Government made a stand that I believe
was supported by millions of Australians. We made a conscious
decision to put the interests of this community before the self
interest of a small and elite group. We made responsible decisions.
We made decisions in the national interest.
I am pleased that the air controllers have finally agreed to go
back to work, so their case can be heard by the highest arbitral
tribunal in the land. The Government will support the decision of
this tribunal. I hope the men will be unequivocal in the support
of the umpire's decision.
The other issue of fundamental and basic importance to the good
government of our country is the referendum proposals to reform
our constitution. It has not made dramatic headlines but in
many ways this is understandable because the issues before the
people are not dramatic issues. They are simply aimed at tidying
up the constitution to meet the needs of Australia at this moment.
This past week I have visited Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart,
Launceston, Adelaide and Perth, explaining the benefits of the
four proposals. I have been greatly encouraged by the response
so far. I have no doubt that all four proposals will pass in
every state. I am confident that they will receive overwhelming
support.
Some people have suggested that either or each of Queensland,
Tasmania and Western Australia would reject the proposal that the
Senate and the House of Representatives elections be held at the
same time. I am convinced that the basic logic and common sense
behind this proposal will make sure it is passed in these three
states, as well as in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
I believe our arguments arguments put by every member of the
House of Representatives and the great majority of Senators are
getting through to those people who want to decide the merit of
each proposal with an open mind. / Our arguments
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Our arguments are being accepted. -' arid-they are being accepted
because of their fairness, logic and plain Australian common sense.
I believe that men and women are applying what I call the ' common
sense test' to each questii. Is it common sense to allow people
in the A. C. T. and Northern Territoryx to be counted in any referendum
vote? Is it common sense for-judges-to\ retire at 70 years of age?
Is it common sense to hold elect4, gns for the House of Representatives
and Senate on the same day? Is-. it mmon sense to replace a Senator
with a Senator from the same part-0, ' Surely the answer in each case
is a clear ' yes'.
It is significant that since ( We began on the ' yes' campaign, support
for each of the four questions has steadily risen. This support
will continue as the argument\ S .* continue to be put before the
community. So far, I'and other Parkiamentarians putting our case
have spent many hours on radio~ and,. t l'evis ion programmes talking
directly to men and women who have sh ! own a real concern for
constitutional reform. Their concern and their wish for reform
in this important area has been demonstrated by the seriousness of
their questioning. This concern is most heartening and refreshing
because constitutional reform is essential if we want to maintain
the real role of our democratic institutions.
If by some chance these proposals are rejected by the community,
I believe the future of our constitutional conventions will be
in jeopardy. These proposals were overwhelmingly-supported by
all political parties at all levels of Government at the last
constitutional convention. Those proposals are the same proposals
as we are now putting to Austr,-lians. It is for that reason that I
am a little disappointed in the attitude of a couple of Premiers to
the simultaneous election proposal. There was no dissent on this
proposal at the convention. In fact, statements of support were
issued. I
This coming week, following a Cabinet meeting in Melbourne that
will attend to normal Government business, we will continue to
put our views plainly and directly. I have no doubt that Australians
will see our arguments for what they are and that is plain common
sense.