PM Transcripts

1K!,
1 STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER. THE HON P J KEATING MP
MR PACKER, MR HOWARD AND MEDIA MONOPOLIES
ov. On, My attention has been drawn to a statement issued by Mr
Olive's Kerry Packer, in which he has categorically denied any
deal with Mr Howard on cross media ownership rules.
Well, of course he would.
ivering . ociety. The truth is that Mr Howard. stands for the relaxation of
on with rules which would allow Mr* Packer to control a television
network and major metropolitan newspapers in the same
city. And he has said so. His statements have provided
irrefutable evidence of the position he has taken. and
ive lost would take in office.
Mr Howard has stated that his public and private views on
ted the this matter are the same. His public view is that the
killa nd cross media ownership rules are unnecessary. He has
galan and ienxcplreusdsiengd Ktheer rys amPea ckveierw. privately to media proprietors,
Whether he expresses it publicly or privately. Mr
arnng of Howard's view is jarringly at odds with his Party's
/ as her policy and with the public interest.
I her toAs I said on Sunday. the Australian public will judge who
is the Packer candidate regardless of Mr Howard's
coyness, or Mr Packer's bizarre pretence that he is being
3gainst intimidated.
-iaison
e First The Labor Government stands for media diversity, and the
icil and Coalition under John Howard does not.
I will be spending the next five days in Germany the
world's third largest economy promoting Australia's
is also Irole as a modern economy at the forefront of information
* ote as technology use and development.
. n andAmong the things I will be saying to German business
ittees. people and others is that this technology must be used to
increase diversity, opportunity and equality. It is a
point which both Mr Howard and Mr Packer should note.
BONN 8 MARCH, 1995 5103