-i ,, AUSTRALIA L
FOR MEDIA MONDAY, APRIL 19 1982
RESIGNATION OF MINISTERS
With regret I have accepted the resignations of Mr MacKellar
as Minister for Health and Mr Moore as Minister for Business
and Consumer Affairs. Both ministers tendered their resignations
in view of questions that have arisen about their actions in
respect of customs procedures and having regard to their
acceptance of responsibility for those actions.
Mr MacKellar assures me, and I accept, that in bringing a
colour television set through Customs last October, he had
no intention either to mislead Customs or to evade duty.
He has quite properly accepted responsibility for the
incorrect declaration that was completed in his name.
The outcome! however was that duty was not paid at the time
although subsequently it will be paid and the Minister
therefore appears to be in a preferred position compared with.
other Australians something that ministerial instructions
issued in 1976 sought specifically to avoid.
Mr Moore very properly followed-up the question of the
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in by Mr MacKellar was dutiable or not.
Mr Moore has assured me, and I accept, that his error
in not following up this question was an error honestly made.
This Government has always upheld the fundamental principles
of Ministerial responsibility, and that the appearance and
reality of integrity are indispensible parts of our system
of government. I have insisted, and our Party expects, that
responsibi] lity should be maintained. It is extremely regrettable
that these instances have come into the path of otherwise
outstandingj performances by these two Ministers.
The penalties in public office are high. Both Ministers
accept this and have accordingly volunteered their resignations. / 2
2
It is my intention to recommend to His Excellency, the
Governor-General, that the resignations be accepted. I shall
recommend to His Excellency that, for the time being, the
Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs, Mr Brown, be
sworn as Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs and the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Senator Baume, be sworn as
Minister for Health, until such time as permanent arrangements
are made. The appointments will be in addition to their
present portfolios.
This matter will of course be referred to in Parliament
tomorrow. Relevant papers will be available to be tabled.