PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P. J. KEATING, MP
Tomorrow's Council of Australian Governments meeting in Darwin will
concentrate on the roles and reponsibilities between tiers of government, and on
competition-policy. The Premiers, Chief Ministers and I will discuss important
reforms in electricity, gas, workers' compensation and the legal profession. We
will consider reports on maritime reform, the National Strategy on Violence
Against Women, regulatory reform and the Review of Commonwealth and State
Service Provision.
It will be will be an opportunity to reach agreement on matters of profound
importance to the future of this country.
Broad agreement on government roles and responsibilities will create more
integrated health and community services, with better results for clients and
greater value for money for taxpayers.
Implementation of a national competition policy the principles of which we
agreed to at our last meeting in Hobart will have many enduring benefits for the
Australian economy and the Australian people.
Agreement tomorrow will mean more economic growth, and more jobs. It will
mean cost savings for exporters and better services for everybody. It will mean
not just a more competitive and stronger Australia, but a fairer Australia.
Implementation of a national competition policy will also mean that the States
and their utilities have joined Australian business and the people they employ
working Australians and their families in opening themselves to competitive
pressures in pursuit of productivity, efficiency and comparative advantage. It will
mean that the States have joined the rest of Australia in adjusting to the
necessities of our era. 74/ 94
The Commonwealth Government is determined to press on with implementation
of a national competition policy it is nothing less than our duty to Australia and
Australians. It is our duty to this and future generations. The States, surely,
have a similar duty.
State Premiers and Chief Ministers come to this conference knowing I seek their
cooperation, knowing that in pursuit of the great gains which stand to be made
both sides may need to surrender ground. It is not a question of State rights. It
is a question of making the Federation work as it was intended to work in the
interests of a stronger Australia and, above all, in the interests of the Australian
people. Tomorrow we have an historic opportunity to help Australia work as one for the
benefit of all.
CANBERRA 18 August 1994