PM Transcripts

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AUSTfAI. iA p
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FOR MEDIA SUNDAY, JUNE 1 1980
PROPOSAL FOR NEW ZEALAND TO ATTEND MEETINGS OF'
THE RECREATION MINISTERS' COUNCIL
The Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Fraser, announced today that
he had sought the agreement of all State Premiers and the
Chief Minister for the Northern Territory to the Australian
Government's proposals to invite the New Zealand Government
to send its. Minister responsible for Recreation and Sport to
meetings of the Recreation Ministers' Council.
In detailing some of the background to the proposal., Mr Fraser
said that since its establishment in 1973. Commonwealth, State
and Territory Ministers have met regularly for the purpose of
co-ordinating the development of sport and recreation in
Australia. At its last meeting, Ministers agreed that as there
are a great many areas of common interest with New Zealand, not
least in the sport and recreation field, it would be desirable
to invite the appropriate New Zealand Minister to join the
Council as an observer thus expanding the scope for better
communications in this area between the two countries.
" The proposal is in harmony with the recent discussions I
had with the New Zealand Prime Minister in Wellington on
20/ 21 March", Mr Fraser commented. " At these consultations
we agreed on a framework for developing an even closer
relationship betweeen the two countries in a wide range of
activities". " Both Mr Muldoon and myself are concerned to ensure that a
closer relationship between Australia and New Zealand should
provide a stronger base for the expansion of their links with
other countries, particularly those of the Pacific. and
South East Asia".