FOR PRESS 7 FEBRUARY 1978
URBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, gave details today of new Government
initiatives in the urban public transport area. The new initiative,
which provides for a non-repayable grant to the States of
million a year over the next five ye ars will commence from
1 July 1978.
The Prime Minister said that he had written to all State Premiers
informing them that the Commonwealth assistance programme will
provide grants equal to two-thirds of the approved cost of projects.

CABINET I
FOR PRESS 2 FEBRUARY 1978
MAINLINE RAILWAY UPGRADING PROGRAMME
The Prime' Minister, Mr Fraser, announced today that action was
under way to implement the Government's policy undertaking
to fund a programmne for the upgrading of Australia's mainline
railways.
The Prime Minister said that he had written to the Premiers of
New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia
inviting them to join in a Commonwealth/ State programme for
upgrading their-Stite-ailways that are part of the national
railway network.

PFRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 31 JANUARY, 1978
AUSTRALIA DAY MESSAGE
On this Australia Day holiday, it's good to pause and think
for a moment about those things that give us a sense of
national identity, of unity, a sense of pride in
being Australian. It is good to stop and think about where
we are heading as a nation, as one people. Of course,
it is not just a question of thinking, it is also a
question of acting.
Like any other group of people, Australians are a product
of the experiences they have had together and of the history,

A &~ L
FOR PRESS 31 JANUARY 1978
ADDRESS* TO THE NATION
Good evening. On this Australia Day holiday it is good to
pause and think for a moment about those things that give
us a sense of national identity and unity, a sense of pride
in being Australian.. It is good to stop and think about
where we are heading as a nation, as one people.
of course, it's not just a question of thinking, it's also
a question of acting. Like any other group of people, Australians
are a product of the experiences they have had together, and

/ 0
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 26 JANUARY 1978
ADlDRESS. AT AUSTR~ ALIA DAY. LUNCHJEON, 14ELBOURNt
My Lord Mayor, I am delighted to have had this opportunity to
join with you at this luncheon to celebrate our national
day. Australians do not as a rule talk much about their feelings
towards their country. It is not part of our normal character
to display ardent public patriotism, eyxcept perhaps upon returning
from overseas when many Australians declare their conviction
that, after all they have ' sedyi, Australia Is the best country on
earth.

PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 26 JANUARY 1978
PETROLEUM SUBSIDY SCHEME
The Prime Minister announced today that Commonwealth legislation
to provide for payment of a fuel price equalisation subsidy would
be introduced shortly after the commencement of the forthcoming
Parliamentary session. Because of the need for complementary
State legislation he has written to the State Premiers seeking
their cooperation in this matter and in making subsidy payments
on behalf of the Commonwealth to the oil companies.

lj> A U STRAL1L
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 25 JANUARY 1978
ATTACHED IS THE TEXT OF A LETTER SENT TODAY BY THE
PRIME MINISTER, IN RESPONSE TO REGENT CORRESPONDENCE FROM
THE PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
THE STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN THE FIFTH PARAGRAPH OF THE
PRIME MINISTER'S LETTER MAY BE FOUND IN HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES HANSARD FOR 20th OCTOBER, 1977,
PAGES 2333-2340.

FORPRESS 19 JANUARY 1978
EUROPEAN RESTRAINTS ON STEEL IMPORTS
The Prime Minister said today that the European Community was
again pursuing courses in its trade relations which were inimical
to the free flow of world trade. Mr Fraser said that his
Government's view of the Common Agricultural Policy was well known.
I t would continue to argue for modifications of that policy.
Further, it would continue to argue for modifications in the
Community's policies of subsidising the export of surplus agficultural

MR ' ll
11U TA L I(
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 19 JANUARY 1978
VICTORIAN BUSHFIRES
JOINT STATEM4ENT BY THE PRIM MINISTER, AND THE ACTING PREMIER OF VICTORIA
mhe Prim Minister and the Acti-ng Premi-er, DMr Thompson, indicated that
their Governments had agreed on a number of measures designed
to assist those harmed in the Victorian bushfires.
The Prime Minister and Acting Premier indicated that in additio~ n
to the core measures the Commonwealth and State Government would assisl
towards the cost of replacing damaged fencing, abutting, roads,

FOR PRESS 18 JANUARY 1978
VICTORIAN BUSHFIRES
The Prime Minister today sent the following telegram to the
Premier of Victoria, Mr Hamer.
" I have been concerned at the severity of the fires in Victoria.
You know that the Commonwealth stands ready to apply the normal
measures of assistance and our officials will be standing
ready to help in this regard.
I would like to know if at this stage there is any specific
way in which you feel the Commonwealth would be able to help.
I will be in Melbourne tomorrow if you wish to discuss the