PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA THURSDAY, 15 JULY 1982
MR CAIN AND NUCLEAR SHIPS
Mr Cain has renewed his opposition to the visits of nuclear
armed or nuclear powered ships to Victorian ports. He
admits that in doing this he is at odds with the decision of
the recent ALP federal. conference. His renewed opposition
to visits to Victoria by American naval ships needs to be
seen against the background of the Victorian's ALP conference's
decision for " The State Government to oppose within the
l~ imits of its powers the entry of nuclear vessels into
Victorian waters." Who can doubt that in opposing these
visits Mr Cain is bowing to pressure from the Socialist Left
forces within the Victorian ALP to get rid of ANZUS.
In persisting with his opposition, Mr Cain is contradicting
his own statement of 16 June that " It has never been
Victoria's intention to intrude into the Federal Government's
responsibilities for defence and foreign affairs." Mr Cain
must now give an assurance that he will act upon these words
and provide the appropriate services and facilities for
the visit by USS Goidsborough and for other visits by
American naval ships. The Commonwealth would expect
Mr Cain to give instructions to the authorities of the
Port of Melbcu4_ rne and other Victorian ports to co-operate
with any such.-visits.
There have been more than 500 visits to Australian ports
by ships of the American, British and French navies over
the past 10 -years. At the 31st ANZUS Council Meeting in
Canberra on 22 June, Australia, New Zealand and the United
States reconfirmed the importance of access by United States
naval ships-to the ports of its treaty partners as a critical
factor in sustaining the United States deterrent capacity
and its ability to meet its responsibilities to its treat~ y
partners and the Western Alliance. It is vital for such
visits to continue without impediment and difficulties being
placed in their way.