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TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW WITH THE PRIE MTNIS7TERI-THE RTON. P13
KEATING, NEWPORT BEACH, U. S. A.
WEDNESDAY 17 NOVEMBER 19) 93
E & OE COPY
PM: Today, Dr Howson has sold out the ' indigenious people of Australia. He has sold out the
Ular and decent traditions of his country and he has sold out on tho hopes and expectations
Of those moderates; in the Ubera Party who thought he rnight have turned over a now leaf
after the election. What has happened here is, out of weaknma rather than out of strength,
Dr Howson has caved In to states' interests. In this asm one state, Wastcm Australia,
while mouthing the rhetoric of the High Court decision saying he supports the 16giI Court
decision. But yes, Dr Howson, but only so long as it stands beyond extinguishment from
the actions of some errant state.
The only way that we can bring certainty to this Issue is to pass the Federal Governmnens,
my Governent's, legislation. And 1 can think of nothing worse than a Senate inquiry.
After spoiling for a year. going around Aboriginal communities acceptinzg their hospitality
and their goodwill, taking them down while all the time conniving in the possible pilrering
of their title, he's now recommending a Senate inquiry. Tlic bust thing Dr Hewson can do
is to get his shameftl speech over and done with so that more seaiuus people in Wis Party
can get on with trying to rebuild it.
J How much harder is this going to make the task of getting acceptance for your Maibo
legislation?
P'M: Wcl, I had hoped that the Aboriginal people of this country could have gone, with this
legislation, with the support of all major parties. I mean, Isn't it time after two hundredl
years that these people -having been given a private title right by the highest court in our
countiy could have expected both major parties, the Coalition and the Government of
this country, to have gone to the Parliament with legislation which was unasimous? Mhs
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is not so. It will mean that the GOVefW lt will Perhiat with its leg8ilon it will succeed
with itg legislation. If$ s Iir, workable leogisaton ad it doesn' extinguish the rights to title
in the way in which Dr HamWsns proposals would.
J: Do you have any reason to believe that the Oroons and the Democrats will definitely
support it., because obviously you'll need them now, itfs crucial?
M: Well. well need them but lt the Aboriginal people who will need them. The Aboriginal
and Islander commuty in our country wil need them. And I believe that every fbIr
thinking person in the Senate will see the legislation for what it is a decent and
honorable attempt at settling an Issue of two hundred years in the making.
1: Prime Minister, it looks as though the NAFTA vote will go the President's way. What are
the Imiplicaions of that for the APEC moetinB?
PM: Well, I think they are very good implications. If the President wins it means the winds of
free trade are blowing in the United States. And what the president will say is conr& M
what Secretary Christopher said today and that is America will be looking weag of the
Pacific, leaving behind some of Its Euroceinricity and taking up the great growth market
of the Asia-Pacific where the preponderance of American trade already exists. in making
a decision in favour of the North American Free Trade Agreement the Congress will be, in
fact, endorsing the President's view of engagement with tile rest of the world rathe than
the fallback. to protectionism, an America-first policy which would not have delivered
highur incomes and more jobs to American.
J Prime Minister, do you think youll be able to avoid a Senat inquiry as Dr Hoewson has
asked for now, or do you think you'll have to go thriough with one?
PM: I think that anyone who has interests for Aboriginal and Islander people in Australia can
best fuzlfll them by passing this legislation. Not by shifting Offito Some Senate Committee.
I mean, what light is the Senate going to shed on this? A bunch of biased Liberals at boat,
or weak liberals at the worst who ffiled to sop Dr Howson, Poring over the
Government's principal legislation. Where is that going to got us?
J. The Democrats and the Oreens have shown that they're attracted to Senate inquiiei
the past. W~ hat is your message to them at this moment? rsi
PM: Well, I think my message is to listen to the Aboriginal people of tius coiuntry. Listen to
them and let them tell the Senators that they want the Bill passed, And listen to the
representative people who genuinely represent institutional groups within the Aboriginal
and Islander community who themselves represent very large constituencies. And they'll
say, " Pass the Bill".
ends, IZj025