PRESS OFFICE TRANSCRIPT -7b/ 107T
Prime Minister Interviewed at Fairbairn on departure to Darwin
7 September 1978
Question: Prime Minister, how real is the danger of the Uranium development
being set back by the-Northern Land Council?
Prime Minister:
I wouldn't think so. The stories in the paper this morning
were imaginative. One of then, said " Fraser is rushing up
to have discussions and negotiations". Well I've been planning
to go up for the opening of the Northern Territory Parliament
certainly for months. It's obvious that while in the Northern
Territory I would be having discussions with a variety of
people. Question: Will Ranger get going on time?
Prime Minister:
I believe it will, yes.
Question: Doesn't approval of a road though imply that the project itself
will be approved?
Prime Minister:
No. Not at all.
Question:
Why would they build a road then through reserves?
Prime Minister:
It's their risk. It has been made perfectly plain that that's
SO. Question: Just one other point. The Caltex Oil Company has asked you
to overrule the PJT andgive more money.
Prime Minister:
I saw that in the newspapers this morning too. Let's see
what happens when I'm approached, if an approach comes. to me.
direct. / 2
2.
Question: Do you think it's fair though that they should get the full
impost of your tax applied?
Prime Minister:
All I know about this is what I've read in the newspapers,
and so I'm not going to o-mmm any more than that.
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