PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON. P. J. KEATING
LODGE TABLE
Given the current interest in the matter of the
replacement dining table for the Lodge the following,
facts may be of interest to the media.
The need for a replacement dining table for the Lodge was
first raised by Mrs Hazel Hawke in 1991. She indicated
at the time that a replacement table was the last major
outstanding item to be settled under the Lodge's
refurbishment program. It was widely acknowledged that
the existing table was unsuitable for the many large
official functions held at the Lodge.
The matter was raised again in early 1992 but it was not
until November 20 of that year that I discussed the need
for a replacement table with members of the Australiana
Fund.
At that meeting it was agreed that a suitable period
dining table, probably from London, could cost up to
$ 150,000 and that this expense could not be justified.
I suggested it may be possible to commission a less
expensive reproduction table through a local manufacturer
or supplierz, and mentioned Mr Paul Kenny as one
possibility. Mr Kenny is acknowledged as one of the few
leading suppliers of tables of this type and his
expertise and standing is widely recogni. sed within the
industry and by Ms Betteridge herself.
It was agreed at the meeting that Ms Betteridge approach
suitable people or firms, including Mr Kenny, to
undertake some preliminary investigation and costing.
Ms Betteridge's investigations revealed thaL Mr Kenny had
a table under construction which might be suitable at a
cost of $ 25,000. Contemporary Australian furniture
makers and individual craftsmen were also approached but
their quotes ranged from $ 40,000 to $ 60,000 for a table
of equivalent size.
MS Be~ teridge subsequently inspected the table and
provided me with a photograph. Preliminary arrangements
were also made for members of the Australiana Fund to
inspect the table. The table was delivered to the Lodge
" ion approval" on or about June 9.
While this sequence of events was unfolding, the
Australiana Fund was also considering whether the Fund
itself was the appropriate vehicle for purchase of the
table, or whether it would be preferable to procure it
through the annual budget for official establishments.
I did receive a preliminary indication that some members
of the Acquisitions Committee of thle Fund might consider
that the table fell outside its purchasing guidelines.
But when I met the chairman of the Australiana Fund, Mr
Walton, at an offircial function he told me there was
still a possibility of the Fund buying the table given
the difficulty of obtaining an alternative at reasonable
cost. He told me the matter would be discussed at the
next meeting of the Fund, to be held within weeks.
Against this background my of tice advised the Department
not to settle t1he account with Mr Kenny until the matter
was finally decided by the Australiana Fund.
When it became clear the Fund would not purchase the
table I decided against paying for the table from the
annual departmental budget for the Lodge, and arranged
for the table to be returned to Mr Kenny and had the old
table re-installed.
I then telephoned Ms Betteridge to tell her the table had
been returned and to express my disappointment that the
matter was still unresolved, a full two years after Mrs
Hawke had first raised it and to express my disquiet
about the serious inaccuracies and reflections on my role
in the many notes for file she had written.
Two months later I learnt of Ms Betteridge's decision to
accept a redundancy package via a television news report.
The secretary of the Prime Minister's department has
advised that to date 19 ofters of voluntary redundancy
have been accepted by PM& C officers and that the
Depar~ nenL expects eventually to abolish 25 positions.
in Lhe two years since this was first raised there have
been conflicting accounts of events.
At the heart of this confusion so far as I was concerned
was conrininuing doubt about the eligibility of the
proposed table for purchase by the Australiana Fund.
In any event, I have always believed that a new table for
the Lodge was desirable but not at taxpayers' expense.
If a suitable table could be found at reasonable cost and
that cost borne by the Fund which is tinanced by
donations and events such as ' open days' at official
establishments well and good. if not, then there should
be no new table.
Needless to say, I do not intenid to reopen the matter and
the old table will remain in use for the forseeable
future.
Attached is a letter sent by the chairman of the
Australiana Fund to its members and copied to me which
may provide fur~ her useful background.
CANBERRA November 4, 1993
THE AUSTRALIANA FUND
0. P. O. BOX 493 1. S YDN EY N. S. W. 2001
Tclcp1honc 251 5711
September 13, 1993
Dear Member,
The recent spate of publicity regarding the possibility of the Australiana Fund
acquiring a Dining Room Table for The Lodge has prompted me as your
Chairman to write this letter.
Following a request from Mrs Hawke in October 1991, the Fund has recognsed
the need to replace the table that was purchased for The Lodge in 1981
following the extension of the dining room to create more seating capacity. In
fact I responded to Mrs Hawke's letter indicating that the Fund would be
delighted to work with her in acquiring a table which not only captured the
spirit of the 1920' s, thereby enhancing the Lodge, but which would also offer a
pleasing and practical solution to the then present problems.
Despite widespread inquiries and searching it proved impossible to find an
appropriate original replacement table. It seemed that the only solution would
be to commission the required piece. This was in fact discussed with members
of the Fund Council when they met with Mr and Mrs Keating at The Lodge in
November of last year. Although my unexpected hospitalization prevented me
attending, I understand the question of commissioning a dining room table,
possibly made of Thai mahogany, was canvassed at that meeting.
Subsequently a number of discussions took place involving various people,
including our fine arts adviser, Margaret Betteridge. The matter of the
purchase of the Thai table was considered by the Acquisitions Committee who
recommended rejection. It was never put to a vote of the Council or of the
Official Establishments Trust.
When the request to consider this acquisition was recently made, I indicated
that the Council was scheduled to meet at the end of August and the matter
would be decided at that meeting. Before this scheduled meeting took place
there was some unexpected, unfortunate and uninformed press comments
regarding the possible purchase of the table. Concurrently I was advised by
certain members of the Acquisitions Committee of their strong views in the
matter. We were subsequently informed that the Prime Minister had decided
not to proceed with the acquisition of the table and that it had been returned to
the dealer who had commissioned the work.
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There have been a number of previous occasions where the incumbents of the
Official Establishments have been of a different view to the Acquisitions
Committee. The Rojo bookcase, the Devlin silver candlesticks, the De Maestre
murals are a few cases in point. In each instance the feelings of the occupants
have been given considerable weight in the final decision of Council,
notwithstanding the recommendations of the Acquisitions Committee.
It is after all Their Excellencies and the Prime Minister and his wife ( who has in
every instance been President of the Fund) who make the success, perhaps even
existence, of the Fund possible. They allow the Open Days and other fund
raising events, provide generous hospitality to our members and donors,
occupy the houses that are used for the display of our collection, financially
contribute to any necessary restoration work through their departments, and
generally provide considerable assistance and support for our endeavours.
Without this spirit of mutual co-operation, with communication and
understanding on both sides, the Fund would almost certainly wither and
gradually die.
We have received the fullest support from the present occupants of the Houses,
and I was very pleased to announce Mrs Keating's acceptance of the Presidency
of the Fund at our 1992 Annual Meeting. Fortunately my concern for working
in close co-operation with the Governor General and Prime Minister and their
wives is shared by my fellow members of the Council. This is not to say that
where there may be different views, these should not be resolved in a spirit of
sensible negotiation wherever possible.
I do reiterate that the question of the purchase of the particular table was not
formally considered by the Council as when Council met there was no longer
any decision to be made. You will however be pleased to know that Council
has unanimously resolved to have the Fund participate in the acquisition or
commissioning of an appropriate dining room table for The Lodge, to be
selected with the acquiescence and approval of the Prime Minister and Mrs
Keating. Already we have had approaches from a number of craftsmen
wishing to become involved in such a project.
Further, in view of a recent inaccurate article in the Australian Financial Review
regarding the whole sorry episode, I must set the record straight on the
acquisition of the Geoffrey Hannah cabinet which proudly adorns the hail of
Government House. We are fortunate that Mrs Hayden spotted this unique
contemporary piece in an exhibition at the State library of NSW and referred it
to the Fund. The Acquisitions Committee, with one person dissenting,
recommended its purchase, a recommendation which was unanimously
endorsed by the Council and The Official Establishments Trust. The piece was
paid for in two Instalments, was sponsored to the extent of $ 25,000 by World
Book Encyclopaedia, and is probably worth double its $ 92,000 price tag today.
The public reaction to the piece has been overwhelmingly favourable and in the
opinion of almost all Fund members who have enjoyed the hospitality of Their
Excellencies, it is a most appropriate item for the collection.
I tLL: 4 NOV 1: 22 NO-U I Z '. IUb/ t-
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Finally, since Its inception in 1978 the Australiana Fund has prided itself on
being an apolitical organisation. This also is obviously critical to its future.
Regrettably, whilst most members who have been recently approached by the
Press have declined to comment, some statements have been made and stories
leaked, which on the surface appear to be Politically motivated. Clearly it is
Crucial that we maintain an apolitical stance to ensure the continued support of
the public, our corporate donors, the occupants, and thus the viability of the
Fund. This is especially so with the possibility of a Republic just around the
corner. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or commnents on
the above rather lengthy diatribe. Meanwhile, let us get on with the job of
mending fences, regaining our momentum, and working together to enhance
the Fund.
With warm regards,
JOHNL WALION