TELEX TO THE PREMIERS AND CHIEF MINISTER
I TAKE THIS FIRST OPPORTUNITY UPON ASSUMING OFFICE AS
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA TO SEND MY WARMEST EXPRESSION
OF GOODWILL TO YOU PERSONALLY AND AS HEAD OF YOUR GOVERNMENT
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CLOSEST CO-OPERATION WITH YOU AND
YOUR GOVERNMENT IN THE GREAT TASK OF SERVING THE PEOPLE
OF AUSTRALIA WHICH WE SHARE IN COMMON.
I NOW MOST CORDIALLY WISH TO INVITE YOU AND YOUR GOVERNMENT
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC SUMMIT CONFERENCE
TO BE HELD AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA DURING THE WEEK
BEGINNING MONDAY 11 APRIL. AS YOU WILL BE AWARE, THIS
PROPOSAL WAS A CENTRAL COMMITMENT I MADE ON'BEHALF OF THE
NEW AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DURING THE RECENT ELECTION
CAMPAIGN. THE FULLEST POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT BY YOUR GOVERNMEN1
WILL BE CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS UNDERTAKING.
I ENVISAGE THAT EACH STATE AND THE NORTHERN TERRITORY WILL
BE REPRESENTED BY ITS PREMIER AND ONE OTHER MINISTER. EVERY
FACILITY WILL BE EXTENDED TO YOU AND YOUR OFFICIALS FOR THE
UTMOST INVOLVEMENT OF YOUR GOVERNMENT BEFORE AND DURING THE
CONFERENCE. I SHOULD RECEIVE YOUR EARLY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS INVITATION
-WITH DEEP PLEASURE.
FOLLOWING IX THE TEXT OF A LETTER OF INVITATION I HAVE SENT
TODAY TO LEADING REPRESENTATIVES OF AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY AND
THE UNION MOVEMENT, SETTING OUT THE NATURE AND PUR? OSE OF
THIS HISTORIC CONFERENCE.
PRIME MINISTER CANSBERRA
Dear
You will be aware that in the recent election campaign
to elect the new Australian Government, I made a
fundamental commitment to the people of Australia
in these terms:
We undertake, immediately on assuming office,
to convene a National Economic Summit-Conference,
fully representative of Australian industrv,
the Australian workforce and the Australian people
through their elected Governments.
Its purpose is to create a climate for common
understanding " of the scale and scope of Australia's
present crisis, to explore the policy options,
and to ensure that the relevant parties
governments, business and the unions clearly
appreciate the role that each of them will have
to play in pulling the country out of the present
economic crisis.
On 5 March 1.983, the people of Australia gave their
very clear support, both for this proposal and for
the approach it represents.
As my Government this day begins the task of
translating its mandate into a practical program
for national reconciliation, national. recover-v ind
national reconstruction, we are deeplyv conscious
of the extent to which its effectiveness must depend
on -co-operation, understanding and commitment from
. all sections of the community.
Accordingly, I wish now to invite you to join , with
the Australian Government in the National Economic
Summit Conference. I propose that the Conference
begin on Monday 11 April. 1983. It is envisaged that
the Confcrence will occupy the great er Dart of chat
week. The Conference will be held in the House of
Representatives, Parl. i. ament House, Canberra.
~ CS4%~ OSfl.
Further details of the arrangements for the Conference
will be sent to you as soon as possible, but clearlv
the essential ingredients will be:
assessing the economic and industrial relations
situation; and
finding a consensus among the participants
which would set the framework for the
implementation of a recovery strategy during
the next three years.
I am arranging that documents relevant to these
issues will be prepared and circulated by the
Australian Government before the meeting. The full
resources of my Government and its instrumentalities
the Treasury, the Reserve Bank and other relevant
" departments will be brought to bear in the
preparation for the Conference.
I believe that the effectiveness and value of the
conference will be enhanced if participants other
than the Australian Government are able to provide
information and expert analysis of developments
in their own sectors and in the economy more
generally. I would envisage continuing consultation
with participants in respect of information and
material they may wish to provide to the Conference.
As I also made clear during the election campaign,
the Government wants to involve participants as
much as possible in the preparations for the
Conference. I should be very interested, therefore,
to receive suggestions from you on a possible agenda
for the Conference. I should also be interested
in your views on the composition of the Economic
Planning Advisory Council -,.; hich will hec the
Government's vehicle for regular ongoing consultation.
The National. Economic Summit Conference presents
us " with a rare, and I believe, an historic opportunity
to set a new course for Australia. I ar-confident
that you will w. elcome the opportunity to takle part
in and contribute to w.-hat, I deeplv b'elieve, c; in
be made a new beginning. It is not necessary for
me at this stage to stress the seriousness of the
economic and social problems now facing Australiia.
The emphasis of the Conference will be do practical,
specific and effective measures to meet those problems
and to develop processes for continuing consultation
and co-operation. However, I believe the Conference
will also have an important svmbolic purpose, as
a demonstration, to Australia and the world, of
our ability to work together to surmount our present
problems and lay firm foundations for a better future
for all our people. Yours sincerely Hawke)
NATIONAL ECONOMIC SUMMIT CONFE~ FNCEGOVERNMENT
Prime Minister
Treasurer Ministers for. Employment and Industrial Relations
Finance Industry and Commerce
Social Security
Primary Industry.
Education and Youth Affairs
Premier of New South Wales 2
Victoria 2
Queensland 2
Western Australia 2
South Australia 2
Tasmania 2
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory 2
Australian Council of Local Government Associations 2
Employers/ Business
Australian Bankers' Association
Australian Chamber of Commerce
Australian Federation of Construction Contractors'
Australian Industries Development Association
Australian Manufacturers Export Council
Australian Road Transport Federation
Confederation of Australian Industry
Council of Small Business Organisations
Housing Industry Association
Master Builders Federation of Australia
Metal Trades Industry Association of Australia
National Farmers Federation
Oil Industry Industrial Committee
Sir Peter Abeles
Sir Keith Campbell
Mr A. Carmichael
Sir Roderick Carnegie
Mr A. W. Coates
Mr P. J. W. Cottrell
Mr W. L. Dix
Mr J. B. Gough
Mr B. N. Kelman
Mr J. H. Leard
Mr B. T. Loton
Sir Eric McClintock
Mr Morgan
Mr E. J. N! ea.
Mr J W. Ut z
Mr L. S. Zampatti
Professional Groups
Aus tra ia n Med i c; L ssoc t on
Insti t t t Ch'ir tr.: d . ccoun
i Coun i s al1i 1.-
Unions Australian Council of Trade Unions -31
Other Organisations
Australian Council of Social Services
[Date confirmed]