PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP ON DEPARTURE FOR TURKEY, RAAF BASE
FAIRBAIRN 22 APRIL 1990
E OE PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, an emotional time for you the next
week or so?
PM: For everyone I think.
JOURNALIST: How important is it that the Government, the
Opposition and the Diggers are going to be there?
PM: I think it's the indication of the way in which all
Australians, irrespective of their politics or their age,
understand the significance of Anzac. And it's something
which I think all Australians now are coming to
appreciate was fundamental in the formation of the
Australian nation and an understanding of ourselves as
one nation. And although it was a military defeat, it
was the occasion of an exhibition of unbelievable heroism
and determination by those young men who were prepared to
go across the world and lay down their lives on the first
occasion as Australians.
JOURNALIST: How do you think you're going to feel during
the service?
0 PM: I think like everyone we'll all feel very emotional
about it. You wouldn't be human if you didn't.
JOURNALIST: On another issue, the floods have been very
bad in Queensland and NSW. Is the Government going to
give any assistance in this area?
PM: I'll be looking for a detailed report on it. I
p3 bbably will get that while I'm away. But the normal
provisions will come into effect, the natural disaster
provisions in which we co-operate with the States to meet
the problems for the people who've been devastated in
this way. I take this opportunity of extending my great
sympathy to them.
JOURNALIST: What's your reaction to the Coroner's report
on the state of the Pacific Highway and the need for
2
PM: That will be studied by our people. We indicated
during the election campaign our preparedness to make
additional money available. There is under the existing
provisions, provided NSW is prepared to co-operate, the
capacity to extend a fair amount of additional money in
that area. But clearly a detailed examination will need
to be undertaken of the report.
JOURNALIST: So that the two cents a litre extra
that Mr Willis suggested has been ruled out?
PM: I'm not going into that. I'm saying we'll look at
the report. But I've indicated that, much earlier than
the report, we'd undertaken the availability of
additional money for expenditure in that area.
ends