PM Transcripts

PRESS OFFICE TRANSCRIPT 31 MAY 1978
INTERVIEW WITH TELEVISION JOURNALISTS
RAAF BASE FAI RBAI RN
QUESTION: Is there any chance at all of Mr. Withers standing
down while you are away?
PRIME MINISTER: Oh, good heavens no.
QUESTION: What's the significance of the broadening of the
Robinson inquiry?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I'll answer that, but I thought you
were going to ask me questions about other events. We were
given legal advice that it should be broadened to make quite
sure that the Commission could bring in findings on matters
that had been put before it. Now, on the basis of evidence
given, they could bring in findings in relation to
Mr. Robinson and the Commissioners but no necessarily in
relation to other persons and so that the matter could be
cleared up fully and completely the attorney.. advised and the
Government accepted the advice, that the terms should be
widened and so they were.
QUESTION: How do you respond to the Opposition's claims that
Senator Withers should be treated the same way as Mr. Robinson
and should stand down for the duration of the Commission?
PRIME MINISTER: I would say that the circumstances are quite
different and what the Opposition says is obviously utterly
predictable. QUESTION: Sorry quite different in what way sir?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, look I am not going to pursue these
particular matters, you know I'm going overseas. Mr. Anthony's
here, I've got no doubt the opposition will be asking--the
questions about the matter but the position is quite different
and that is not entertained. I think it would be a wrong
action to take. The inquiry is in progress. The inquiry will
report. The Government will act appropriately when we have the
report.
QUESTION: Are you concerned, just one final point if it is
fair dinkum broadened more people getting involved?
PRIME MINISTER: Well of course nobody likes a Royal Commission
of this kind but I believe that the Government should and I
believe the Government will be given credit for its openness in
relation to this matter its willingness to have these
matters fully improbed by impartial authority and if all
Governments behaved in that way and in that light, I think that
the public reputation of governments in general would be enhanced
and I believe the Australian people will recognise that. I'd have
thought you wanted to ask me questions about other matters but
if you are not interested about those I will go on board.
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