PM Transcripts

PRESS OFFICE TRANSCRIPT
INTERVIEW WITH'CHANNEL 0, MELBOURNE, AT THE MELBOURNE SHOW.
24 July 1978
QUESTION: Mr Fraser, there has been some suggestion there are
people here from overseas looking to buy rams for export. Are
you worried about any confrontation with the Trade Union
movement over this?
PRIME MINISTER: I think that the matter can be handled quietly,
and I also -t-hink it will sort itself out. In one sense it is
not a great matter, but it is important to the people concerned.
I also think it is important from the point of view of upgrading
world wool supplies, because if we accept that all wool available
is good wool I think that helps the industry generally. I would
have to say that the suggestion that people can put an arbitrary
limit on exports, or direct Australia's exports, tell any
particular group of producers that they can't export to certain
countries if you accept any of those propositions, you are
accepting something that is very serious for the future of
Australia, because we are an exporting nation, our capacity to
employ depends upon exports and depends upon access to the world's
market overseas. Against that general background the principle
that Australians exporters, whether they are primiry industries,
secondary industry or miners, ought to be able to send their
products overseas without restriction, is a very important
principle. QUESTION: If the ACTU does seem reluctant to resolve, what would
be the Government's reaction to confrontation?
PRIME MINISTER: We support the principle that I've just mentioned.
I don't beli-1eve there will be confrontation, I don't really
believe that anyone wants confrontation. I also believe it will
sort itself out adequately, and that if there are some purchasers
from overseas that they will get to the buys without too much
trouble.