PM Transcripts

TRANSCRIPT OF COMM'ENTS, ELECTORATE OF MAKIN, 4 DECEMBER 1986
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: What do you think about the takeover by Mr Murdoch of the
Herald and Weekly Times?
rl, Very interesting.
JOURNALIST: Why?
PM: I would think by any criterion you would apply, it is an
interesting one. It is going to mean some very significant changes.
Mr Murdoch was courteous enough to come and see me immediately after he
had lodged his offer. And he did me the courtesy of informing me of
the lodging of the offer and indicated, of course, that he would abide
by all requirements of the law as it stood1 or as it would stand.
JOURNALIST: Are those laws strong enough now in view of the takeover?
PM: I think the laws are appropriate.
JOURNALIST: Are you concerned that one media magnate can own so much
in Australia?
PM: Let me say this,. first of all. I am fascinated by the bleats that
are coming from the Fairfax Group. I find it fascinating that this
) oup which owns large numbers of newspapers all around the country say
isn't it terrible that someone owns a lot of newspapers. What they
really mean is isn't it terrible that someone may own more than us.
What we are concerned in the proposals that we are putting to the
Parliament is about cross-media domination in regions and if the
proposals that we have are passed it will mean that, importantly, in no
area will one person or organisation be able to have a monopoly of
television, radio and print. And I think that is what is appropriate.
JOURNALIST: But will you have to review your laws in view of this
takeover bid?
PM: I don't see that we will have to review our laws.
JOURNA LIST: So you are happy with it?
PM: It is not a question ot me being happy or not happy. The people
of this country and certainly most of the conservative political forces
have b een arguing, as I understand it for a very long period, the
merits of the market place,-the forces of competition. I think that is
what we are seeing, isn't it?
ENDS