PM Transcripts

PRIIMNEIS TE
STATEMENT BY THE PRJM MINISTER, THE H9ON P. J. KEAT[ NG, MIP
MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Minister for Industry, Technology and Regional Development, Mr Alan Griffiths,
has today tendered to me his resignation from the Ministry. I have advised the
Governor-General to accept the resignation.
Mr Griffiths has informed me that he has serious concerns about possible misuse of
funads he has received for party political purposes, possible misuse of the facilities of
his Melbourne electorate office, and irregularities in documentation relating to
electoral fuind raising and expenditure.
He told me that he had no involvement at all in any of those matters and that his
lawyers are satisfied that on the material presented to them in respect of those matters
in their opinion he is not guilty of any wrongdoing or impropriety. However, Mr
Griffiths has informed me that in the best interests of the Government and the ALP he
has decided to tender his resignation so that these matters can be fiuy investigated.
He has expressed to me his absolute confidence that after that process is concluded his
name will be fully cleared.
The Australian Federal Police have been asked to excamine these matters and determine
whether an investigation is warranted.
In addition to any consideration by the Federal Police, Mr Griffiths has asked me to
arrange for a full investigation by an independent person to determine whether his own
conduct in these matters has met appropriate standards of Ministerial behaviour. He
has expressed confidence that such an inquiry would exonerate him and permit him to
recontest his ministerial position at the earliest opportuity.
I intend to grant Mr Griffths' request for an independent inquiry and have informed
him that I would advise the Caucus not to fill the vacancy until after the investigation is
concluded. At that time, if appropriate, I expect Mr Gr-iffiths to put his name forv~ kd
to the Caucus for re-election to office.
I expect to be in a position to announce new Ministerial arrangenmns next week
Mr Griffths will be available to comment this evening at 7.3Oprn at 4 Treasury Place.
Melbourne. SYDNEY 22 JANUARY, 1994 4207