Embargoed against delivery / 0
AIS i A A,
FOR PRESS 17 MARCH 1977
CO1DONWEALTH OMBUDSMAN APPOINTED
I an pleased to inform the House that the Government has
appointed Professor J. E. Richardson, Robert Garran Professor
of Law at the Australian National University, to the position
of Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Professor Richardson's appointment will be for a period of
seven years and he will take up his appointment as soon as
arrangements can be made for his release from the University.
The Government is very pleased that Professor RLchardson has

A11
FOR U:. S 15 MARCH 3977
DEATH OF MR J. I. ARMSTRONG
Last Thursday, 10th March, John Armstrong a man who had
held public office in Parliament, overseas and in his home
State of New South Wales over a span of forty years died
suddcnly at Batcmans Bay, on the New South Wales coast
which. he loved so much.
John Armstrong was a straight-forward man blunt, open, forceful
, ithc. ut any trace of sophistry or cynicism. lie was a most likeable
man, with an earthy sense of humour, and he was much respected
by all1 who knew him or worked with him.

E mbargoed until 1900 hours 13.3.77 3HA 13 March
3YB 17 March
. J1, AUS': ' ALIA
FOR PRESS 13 MARCH 1977
ELECTORATE TALK
The Federal Government this week announced that the two and a
quarter rili on Australians who receive pensions or benefits
will i-eceive increased payments in May. Single pensioners will
receive a $ 3.60 a week rise and a pensioner married couple will
receive a $ 6.00 a week increase. This means that the max: i. mim
standard pension rate becomes $ 47.10 a week, while the maximum

Z
-I1 AI. IS l 1l. M 1A S I
FOR P RESS 11 MARCH 1977
JOHN ARMSTRONG'S DEATH
John Armstrong was a very distinguished Australian whose
tragic dcath will be deeply felt by his countrymen in all
walks of life.
There is no doubt that John Armstrong was first and last
a loyal and fervent Australian. He was proud of his
country.
As, a Minister in Ben Chifley's Cabinet, John Armstrong
pushed hard for an Australian Honours system. In his
24 years service as a Senator representing New South Wales,

P~ ll P? l~ 210 MIARlCi! 1971
C 11 1J OF BULL TO INDONMESIA
T Ij~ -ac' Aagus bull to the President of ' Lndonc.-s.. a,
DL:. Ci! rt: 7W ann~ foun~ fced today.
T Pi." tr Ni~ r.: '; L~ co1T, 1 Frascr sa-Ld that i~ n imaz-kin,
th11 gif ., L7 Astralian Governmecnt wanted to -, inkc at po-z. ti-e'
c~ nLri~ uti~ nnot on: ly to the developmenL ofttePc. 2co ' s
herd, but"-also to the: improvemaent o E breeds at the villaclo
Tbhll 21 MNA TOLERANCE w-Aas puLrcha s ed a L auc tLion (-o: 1ay
the Seuij. Bl ack Angus Clas sic a a a jo'ur chase price. of

JjJJAUS 1ALIA , Li
PiRME iV1UN3STER
FOR PRL. SS 10 MARCH 1977
COMMONWEALTH DAY 1977
The fourteenth of March 1977 will be the first occasion on which
member countries of the Commonwealth will simultaneously celebrate
Commonwealth Day.
Previously Commonwealth Day was celebrated in Australia on the
second Saturday in June in conjunction with The Queen's Official
Birthday celebrations. The new date for Commonwealth Day, the
second Monday in March of each year, has been chosen so that
the Commonwealth as a whole is able to celebrate its common

A' A 9 lR~ .77
TIsc~ ht wten]' to a l'l P r erme r S p p5s int
in Ca ~[ n1inr. o> r cr) ac on ' 12 anl ( 1.1 3 Ail97
Th ann of t: hIeo Pr om i crs ' C on : Fe -rc coei so . c)
witth Sh.-Stl: es on ta-x shari gi l ungemcItS : JiC1n 0-, 7 J n cc
it h ei Comme" c a t h ' s rni o u nCd p ol i c oni fc* e c -ra l . sm
Thei Prime ii es~~ that " In1 calling this Cneec
V. ere sce110. ch coopera H on ofh Statc tifi . orki n, oilt.
dota ils of fon u-re ar-cmngte; ncnts on) tax sh'ar]. ng,
p a3 2 culanyout t anutng a Lter rol1atincg to S taLfc I and

FOR PRESS 9 MARCH 1977
ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE " GENESIS" EXIIIBITION AT THE A. N. U.
It is with much pleasure that I welcome you to this very fine
exhibition Genesis of a Gallery. The exhibition began its
Australian wide tour in Adelaide twelve months ago and has
visited Darwin, and all State capitals, other than Melbourne,
where it may be shown later.
It has been seen and enjoyed by many thousands of people and wari~ y
received by artists and art critics. It illustrates the
range and diversity of the national collection which will find

PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 8 MARCH 1977
EMBARGO: against delivery
. WELCOMING SPEECH TO THE QUEEN
Your Majesty, we are all delighted and honoured to have you,
Queen of Australia, with us on this twenty-fifth anniversary of
your accession to the throne.
It is already clear, we believe, that your reign has been one
of the most significant and successful in our history. You have
performed your Constitutional duties with wisdom, grace, assurance,
and dignity. Because of the strength and continuity which your

4?
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS .7 MARCH 1977
MESSAGE TO PRIME MINISTER OF ROMANIA
The following message has been sent to the Prime Minister
of Romania: " It was with regret and sorrow that we in
Australia have heard the news of the earthquake
disaster which has struck your country. Please
accept, on behalf of the Government and people
of Australia, and on my own behalf, this
expression of our sympathy for those of your
countrymen who have suffered as a result of
this tragedy."