F79/ 38
AUSTRALIA
FOR PRESS 5 MARCH 1979
Commonwealth Assistance to Queensland
in respect of Cyclone " Kerry"
The Prime Minister today announced that he had written to
the Premier of Queensland agreeing to certain relief measures
under the Natural Disaster Assistance Arrangements in
respect of damage caused by Cyclone " Kerry".
Mr Fraser said " I have informed Mr Bjelke Petersen that
the Commonwealth concurs in the implementation of certain
measures to assist those suffereing personal hardship and

P79/ 37
AUS f'R. LIA
FOR PRESS 4 MARCH 1979
ELECTORATE TALK
All Australians want the opportunity to plan ahead and make
the most of their talents. We are a people that reject the
unnecessary intrusion of Government.
That is one reason I made it clear this week that the Coalition
Government was flatly opposed to the introduction of a Capital
Gains tax. This is a tax that would stifle incentive, stifle
development. A Capital Gains Tax would not only hurt large companies, but
would devastate hundreds of thousands of Australian farmers,

EMBARGO: 3: 30 PM
F79/ 36
~ MINISTER
FOR PRESS 2 MARCH, 1979
AUSTRALIAN MEMBERSHIP
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY
The Prime Minister announced today that Australia will become
a member of the International Energy Agency ( IEA).
Australia's application to join was unanimously approved
at a meeting of the lEA's Governing Board in Paris on
1 March. This followed a comprehensive review by the Government
over the last year.
The IEA is an autonomous institution within the framework of
the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development,

4AUS RLIA
FOR PRESS2* MARCH 1979
CYCLONE " KERRY" NORTH QUEENSLAND STORM DAMAGE
The Prime Minister has contacted the Premier offering all
possible Commonwealth assistance to the people
of north Queensland affected by storm damage arising from
the approach of Cyclone " Kerry" to the coast near
Proserpine. " I am most concerned about the situation", Mr. Fraser said.
" The joint financial arrangements to support disaster
relief will, of course, apply automatically for a wide
range of agreed measures"

U ST R A L E
PRME M7ANMSTER'
FOR PRLESS 27 FEBURARY 1979
Joint Statement
the Prime Minister and the Premier of Western Australia
A joint Commonwealth-Western Australia Report on the Ord River
irrigation scheme has recommended continued Government support.
The Report compiled after a study by Sir Norman Young with the
assistance of Commonwealth and State representatives calls for
increased research and continuing financial support for farmers.
The Report has been submitted to the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser,

* PRIME MDi1' SaTER 27 FEBRUARY 1979
From the Press Office SUMMARY OF ABC'S
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Peacock, has made a major
foreign policy statement to the Parliament in which he re-affirmed
the Government's view that the present crisis in Southeast Asia
was the result of Vietnam' s invasion of Kampuchea and its alliance
with the Soviet Union. Mr. Peacock interviewed.
Senator Ken Wriedt interviewed.
The Government survived a censure motion today against the
Prime Minister over the Robinson affair. Mr. Fraser did not

PRESS OFFICE TRANSCRIPT 27 FEBRUARY, 1979
INTERVIEW WITH-MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR. PEACOCK
FROM ABC'S
Question: Mr. Peacock, would you concede that today's statement had a
strong pro-Chinese emphasis?
Mr. Peacock:
I would not concede that at all. There is no need to concede it.
We :' ve called, in the statement, for China to withdraw from Vietnam
which has been a consistent attitude of ours reflected in all
our statements. To the extent that we have been able to identify
common interests with China in the region, we said we want to

PRESS OFFICE TRANCRIPT 2 ERAY17
SENATOR WRIEDT INTERVIEWqED ON MR. PEACOCK'S FOREIGN POLICY
STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FROM ABC'S 27/ 2/ 79
Huw Evans:
Senator, to what extent are you in accord with Mr. Peacock's
with Mr. Peacock's analysis, particulary in relation to
South East Asia.
Wriedt: The Chinese themselves of course have said that the reason that
they have invaded Vietnam is in order to punish Vietnam. They
have not said precisely why they what to punish Vietnam. It may

Embargo: 12 midnight 26 February 1919F // 1
FOR PRESS 26 FEBRUARY 1979
Australian-American week
Mr Andrew Young, United States Ambassador to the United
Nations, has accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to
visit Australia, as a joint guest of the Government and
the Australian-American Association, to participate in
the Australian-American Week activities in May 1979.
Mr Young is expected to have official discussions with the
Government during his visit.
Details of his Australian itinerary will be announced when

AUS T R A L I Ai" L!
iit
FOR PRESS 26 FEBRUARY 1979
Address at the Antarctic Base, Kingston, Tasmania
It gives me great pleasure to be in Kingston today.
This complex, for the Antarctic Division of the Department of
Science and the Environment, will establish this Commonwealth
activity in Tasmania.
The Government decided to locate the Antarctic Division here
because Hobart is the closest Australian capital city to the
Antarctic, and the logical springboard for our scientific
interest there. The Government's decision is consistent with