PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P. J. KEATING MP
DOORSTOP, REGENT HOTEL, MELBOURNE, MONDAY, 23 MAY 1994
E& OE PROOF COPY
J: What is your view of the leadership challenge that is going on this
afternoon? I
PMV: Well, whether the Liberal party changes jockeys or not, this is just
about people, about who they think can sell the same policies better.
They might say, " we are not running the GST anymore". It's not about
the GST, that is out, everyone thinks that's o-6jt,' the Liberal party. It is
about the general cast of their policies. This is not a contest about
policies and ideas, it is a contest about who can sell them the best. I
think, the Liberal party has reached the stage in its political history
where its usefulness to Australian society is very debatable,
exceptionally debatable, because I don't think it has touch with the
great majority of Australians, I don't think it understands the way
Australia is these days or what its future is. So, whether it is John
H, ewsori or Alexander Downer or whoever, until the Liberal party
decides to change the way it thinks about Australia and to look at
Australia in broad terms rather than sectional terms as it did at the last
election and the one before that, and the one before that, then, I think,
the Liberal party changing jockeys will not change the nature of the
horse.
J: Would you take advantage of the instability in the party and call an
early election?
PMV: I get asked early election questions every day of the week and I give
them the same answer elections are too hard to win without giving
away free time. Thank you.
ends