PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP, WESTHEAD HOSPITAL, 20 APRIL 1989
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, did it take much, I mean you've had
two Cabinet Ministers now talking about resignation from the
Cabinet PM: Now, don't let's blow up this latest one. There was
all the, Barry was a little bit concerned that, you know,
perhaps not enough was going to be done in the science
area. He had a talk to me about it and everything's happy,
no problems at all. So you're really battling to make much
out of that one. I mean, as I keep saying, if you want to
look for problems go to the other side of politics.
JOURNALIST: Mr Keating has threatened to cut off money to
New South Wales at the next Premiers Conference if the
Greiner Government endorses petrol tax. Have you endorsed
Mr Keating's
PM: Well, obviously he said we'll have to look at it at the
Premiers Conference when we take into account what happens
with the disbursement of funds and we will have to look at
it. Simple as that.
JOURNALIST: Is New South Wales doing the right thing by
trying to reduce
PM: What we've got to do in this country at the moment, as
you know, and what was central to the Statement that we
brought down, is to reduce the level of activity in this
country somewhat. It's too high because we've been sucking
in too many imports and this idea of just thinking that you
can spend more and more by raising taxes a bit to undertake
more activity is not consistent with the sort of approach
that is necessary to get the economy off the boil a bit.
So, that's what our concern is.
JOURNALIST: What did-you think about what's happening to Mr
Macphee? PM: Well, I've expressed my concern about that. I don't
always agree with Mr Macphee but I think he does, as I've
said, represent decent small Liberal strands within that
Party and I think what you're seeing there is part of a move
to the extreme Right within the conservative parties. Now
that's their business. I mean I don't want to get involved
in it any more than to say that. I think it would be
unfortunate if Mr Macphee were to be dumped, but that's
their business. we'll go on with the business of running
the country.
ends