PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 8 FEBRUARY 1988
The Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic
Affairs, Mick Young, has informed me of his decision to
resign from political life as from today.
It is a decision which I deeply regret and one which I urged
him to reconsider, but Mick feels that such have been the
events of the last week he no longer has the desire to
continue in political life. I would emphasise that there
are absolutely no circumstances other than those he mentions
in his press release that have pressured him to resign.
one of the tragedies of public life is that exonerations
never receive the headlines of allegations.
Mick Young has been an inestimable asset to the Labor Party
both prior to his election to the House of Representatives
in 1974, and in holding Parliamentary and Party positions in
Opposition and in my Government. In opposition, he was
instrumental in devising many of the policies on which we
were voted into office in 1983.
Mick Young has been a greatly respected and liked minister
as Special Minister of state, and since the last election,
as the Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic
Affairs. He also held the office of Vice-President of the
Executive Council. He has been an outstanding Leader of the
House whose wit and quick mind have earned him the
admiration of all its Members. His voice has been one of
great common sense and wisdom in the councils of both
Cabinet and Caucus.
The loss of Mick Young's unique talents and experience to my
Government and to the Parliament is immeasurable. Today is
a day of great personal and professional regret to me. We
lose an outstanding Minister, an energetic representative
and a convivial colleague.
Margaret Reynolds will undertake the duties of minister for
Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs until my
further announcement. 004317