F76/ 88
FOR PRESS 11 May 1976
AUSTRALIAN ASSISTANCE TO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The Australian Government is to donate the sum of $ 250,000
to help relieve the plight of victims of the earthquake
which on 6 May devastated a large area in north eastern Italy.
All Australians share the grief of the families of those who
lost their lives in this tragic disaster and Australia
wishes to play its part in helping the injured and homeless
of the affected regions.
The Government has already announced that Australia will

F76/ 84
1j AUSTRAL A
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS MAY 11, 1976
THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO CHINA
The Prime Minister has accepted an invitation from the
Government of the Pecple'p Republic of China to visit China
from 20 27 June 1976. He will be accompanied by Mrs Fraser,
the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Andrew Peacock,
and Mrs Peacock. Senior officials from the Departments
of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Foreign Affairs and
Overseas Trade would make up the official party.

F76/ 85 ;-aW
I OR PRESS 11 May 1976
PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO JAPAN
The Prime Minister has accepted an invitation from the
Government of Japan to visit Japan over the period
15-20 June 1976. He will be accompanied by Mrs Fraser.
In announcing his acceptance the Prime Minister said
this visit, his first to Japan, reflected the great
importance which the Australian Government attaches to
its relations with Japan and the firm. tradition of regular
consultation between the two Governments which have
developed over recent years.

AUSTRALIA,
FOR PRESS 10 May 1976
ADDRESS AT THE LAUNCHING OF A BOOK BY GUY BOYD
The last time I took part in a presentation with Guy
B~ oyd he was making the p-resentation. At that time we were
in the middle of a somewhat dramatic course of events
and Guy Boyd was offering some very welcome support.
The work that he presented obviously brought us luck. It
was followed very shortly by the greatest election victory
in Australia's history.
You will understand therefore why it is a very special

PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 10 May 1976/
GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH OMBUDSMAN
The Government has decided to introduce legislation during
the current session to establish a. Commonwealth Ombudsman.
The Government is concerned that people should be able to
seek appropriate redress from the ' administrative actions
of Government Officials where there has been clear error,
bias, neglect, inattention, delay, incompetence or
arbitrariness. The Ombudsman will investigate complaints by citizens
against administrative acts by Commonwealth Officials.

AiOO: CHECK AGAINST DELIVE~ YBROADCAST: 3HA-9 -May 1976
3ib 13 ' My 19' b
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS9 May 1976
ELECTORAL TALK
I want to talk with you today about the Government's
federalism reforms as they specifically apply to local
government.. The Liberal and National Country Parties believe in the basic
right of people to seek their own goals in life, with ø the
Government providing the legal framework and other conditions
that make this possible.
The Labor Party tried to take Australia rapidly down the road

PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS7 May 1976
European Earthquake
I was shocked at the reports of the earthquake that
has caused chaos throughout a large part of Europe.
Me Government Departments ( Department of Foreign Affairs
and Department of Post and Telecommunications) have been
asked to assist-in arranging contact and information
concerning Australians that could be affected.
The Australian Government deplores the loss of life
and the devastation that leaves families homeless.
To the many thousands of friends and relatives of the

F76/ 80
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 7 May 1976
THE TODD PAPERS
, The Todd papers which were tabled yesterday make it
quite plain that whoever Mr Todd is he was commissioned
by Mr Bjelke-Petersen without any authority from myself
or ftom the Commonwealth.
From the moment I received a Commission from the
Governor-General on 11 November last year the terms of
that Commission were observed scrupulously.
Appropriate instructions were given to the relevant
people overseas. Our Ambassador in Switzerland was instructed

/ 2
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY IRM E ASI ST R
FOR PRESS 6 May 1976
TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION
When this Government was-elected to office last year, Japan's
. Prime Minister conveyed to us as well as his congratulations
his desire that the basic treaty of friendship and cooperation.
be broug; ht to an early conclusion.
The Government, sharing Prime Minister Miki's desire, has
given the highest priority to bringing to a successful conclusion
the negotiations for the treaty negotiations which had
become ratherprotracted in 1975.

IJ~ j USTh LIA
FOR PRESS MAY 6, 1976
Mr Vic Garland has been unanimously appointed Chairman of
the House of Representative's Expenditure Committee.
Members of the joint Party Committee, appointed after a
ballot by both parties are:
Mr K. Cairns ( Lib)
Mr I. Macphee ( Lib)
Mr W. Fife ( Lib)
Mr S. Lusher ( Cntry)
Lt. Col. J. Sullivan ( Cntry)
Mr F. Crean ( Lab)
Mr C. Hurford ( Lab)
Mr R. Jacobi ( Lab)
Mr H. Jenkins ( Lab)
Mr F. Stuart ( Lab)
The establishment of the House of Representative's Expenditure