PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA FRIDAY 4 MARCH 198 3
LABOR'S POLICIES ARE FALLING APART
This week, the election campaign has focused on the real issues.
And Labor's policies have not stood up to the test.
Labor's policies are falling apart. The rash of contradictions
in recent days show what a fraud those policies really area.
Their prices and incomes policy is supposed to be a strategy
to fight inflation and industrial relations problems. Events
in the last few days have shown not only the policy is
contradictory, but that it is a total fraud. Mr Crean, a
Vice President of the ACTU has revealed that Labor and the
unions have done a secret deal which, if Labor were to win
tomorrow, would give the oil workers an 8 per cent pay rise.
That pay rise would he a pacesetter for wage increases everywhere.
Once more we would have a wage explosion.
So the policy is not a policy to fight inflation and to improve
industrial relations to the benefit of all Australians. It is
a guarantee to the unions that they can grab what they want.
The contradictions in Labor's policies can be seen everywhere.
Mr Keating, last Thursday, claimed that "~ we have not advocated
price control at all". That statement is totally misleading.
It contradicts the prices and incomes policy which says Labor
would set up a pricing authority.
Mr Hlawke claims to be a man of reconciliation. When his policies
were criticised by the Confederation of Australian Industry, the
body representing a large number of employers in key industries,
Mr Hawke abused the organisation by calling them a destabilising
organisation..." How can Mr Hawke claim to be bringing Austral. ians
together when he is so ready to launch a broadside against the
major employers organisation. The list goes on. Labor argues
passionately for Australian ownership of its own resources.
When SHP announced its takeover of the American Company Utah
International, Senator Walsh said " The Labor Party welcomes
BHP's plans to takeover Utah International". That seemed to
be in line with Labor's policy. Yet on Wednesday, Mr Barry Jones
described that takeover as absolutely scandalous 9'
That contradiction is incomprehensible and irrational.
The contradictions in Labor's policies give Australians a plain
message. Labor offers Australians nothing at a time when prudent
and responsible policies are critical.
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