F M. S; FKE55 OFFICE CRN TEL: 0I-OOZ-T-Z533
1 PRIME MINISTER
26B 0 E PROOF ONLY9
HE& O0E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Do you think jakmfien it.-an
for the F -aswllF as the M 1
PM: No. It's no embarrassment for the Federal Government
at all.
JOURNALIST: Does the result of the
PM: No. The date for the West Australian election has
already been fixed.
JOURNALIST! But does the result of the West Australian
election rather
PM: Effect what we' ll do federally? Is that the . question?
JOURNALIST: Yes.
PM; No,
JOURNALIST: Not at all?
PM: No is no.
JOURNALIST: Are you c * BBBO imply on behalf of
Mr Dowding here or making some attempt to get things
ready for the federal trail as well?
PM: No. It's a State election campaign.
JOURNALIST: Do you think WA Ino is the most important
Issue here? You've spoken to a few voters today.
PM: No of course not.
JOURNALIST: What have people like the Shopping Centre
people been speaking to you about? 2T, 01,83 10: 45 NO. 0035 F. 01
r. M. s RKE35 OFFICE CRMB TEL; Oi-OOZ-TZ3Z23
PM;: No-one's mentioned it to me.
JOURNALIST: This is however one of the most marginal
seats in the electorate. Was that deliberately chosen?
PM: No. When I arrive in a State, whether it's Western
Australia or any State, T put,_ myelf in the hands of
the State Secretary and the campaign committee. They
asked me to come here. So like the good loyal servant
I come and do what I'm asked to do.
JOURNALIST: And whpeplS hE nP
, Sh^ a * tz ti isevening concerned with? What were
they t-lking to you about?
PM: They seemed very happy. I mean they were all saying
that Mr Dowding's going to get back, and of course he
deserves to. You mentioned WA Inc. Now it would
obviouqly be silly to say that it's not an issue. It
is to some extent. But the people of Western Australia
are sensible. They know that under this Government,
in co-operation with mine, you've had in the areas that
matter magnificent achievements. The employment
performance of this Government is virtually the best
in Australia, it's next to Victoria and above the
Australian average. They've created more Jobs and lesser
unemployment levels in terms of State and Counlcil charges..
very much less than the Australian average. He's kept
those charges down. In the fied ucation and health
the g t a. -3ve~ n -tfiisi m agnificent.
Now these are the sorts of things that determine the
welfare of the people in electorates like this. Those
are the things that'll make their minds up. They've
got the alternative of Mr Dowding who is an obvious leader
with the full support of his team and his Party against
a squabbling, policyless, negative Opposition. There's
only one choice.
JOURNALIST: Can you give voters here any assurance that
Tiii hard-pressed home owners, that interest
SraTer ghis year?
PM: They'll go down this year.
ends ZT, 01,9 10: 45 N0.003 F. 02