' 77
76/ 5 ' C)
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS' 15 January 1976
DEATH OF TUN ABDUL RAZAK
, I was shocked and saddened to learn today of the death of
the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak. Australia has
' lost a good and dear friend. The loss is very great. It will be
sadly felt not only by the people ofMalaysia but by the people
of the South East Asian region in particular and the world in
general. i
Tun Razak. has made a significant contribution to the development
of Malaysia both domestically and internationally. He was a

F 7 7
14 January 1976
FOR PRESS ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH JAPAN AND THE VISIT OF THE
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Resources
and Overseas Trade, Mr Anthony, will visit Japan from February
: 4 to Febrdary 14.
He will be accompanied by the Secretary of the Department of
Overseas ' Trade, Mr D. H. McKay, and the Secretary of
the Department of National Resources, Mr J. Scully.
Because of -the particular importance to Australia-of the export
of . pimar industry products such as beef, a seni6r officer of

F76/ 3
rRL A& JANUARY 14, 1976
STANDING COMMITTEES OF CABINET
The Prime Minister said today that six Standing Committees of
Cabinet have been set up to streamline the Government's consideration
and implementation of policy.
The Committees are-
I. Planning and Co-ordination Committee to facilitate the co-ordination
of the Government's medium an! long term activities.-
Members:. Mr Fraser ( Chairman)
Mr Anthony
Mr Lynch
Mr Sinclair
Senator Withers
Sen4tor Greenwood'
Senator Cotton
Mr Street
Mr Nixon

eCoZr Sl& JeeJwta~
F76/ 2 7
A LIA
JC AUTIA,.
PRME-MINISTER
FOR PRESS JANUARY 13, 1976
MEDIBANK REVIEW
The Federal Government will conduct an investigation into the
I
! operation of Medibank. The investigation will be undertaken by a
: team to b. e chaired by Mr Austin Holmes the Director of the
Priorities Review Staff of the Department of Prime Minister and
Cabinet. ' Other members of the team will bje Dr Sidney Sax who is
being seconded specifically from his position as Chairman of the

PRIME MINISTER'S INTERVIEW WITH KEN BRADDICK OF 12 JANUARY 1976
QUESTION: You came out the other day in support of development in Diego Garcia.
At the moment it's before Congress. Do you want the US to go ahead
with it and what can Australia do to either offer some inducement or to
become partfof Indtan Ocean defence?
PRIME MINISTER: This is a very long story in the sense that discussion over Diego Garcia
has been going on for many years. I strongly supported it when I was
Defence Minister. Also, when I was Defence Minister, I had an understanding

P 76/ 1n
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS9 January 1976
CHOU EN-LAI
It was with deep regret that I learned today of the death
of the Premier of The People's Republic of China, Chou En-Lai.
Premier Chou was one of the" outstandig men of his generation.
As Premier of China, Chou En-Lai stood willing to discuss
with candor his'country's position with visiting Government
leaders, and other dignitaries. These explanations of China's
role made a significant contribution to world understanding.
History till remember Chou ' En-Lai as a statesman and as a

PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE, PERTH, 5 JANUARY 1976
2UESTION: Why was it necessary for the Government to issue an undertaking
by Mr Lynch that Australia won't devalue?
? RIME MINISTER:-Well there have been rumours to this effect and we wanted
to make it quite certain that they remained rumours, that people
would put that sort of attitude well behind them. And the
statement the Treasurer made was a strong, a forthright statement;
it had been fully discussed, not only with myself but also with
Mr Anthony.

ADRSS TrO TBB TOUNG LMBRA = T0M LOWEREN IN P2= 9r
JAI'IARY, 1976.
I a= . de. lighted to bea here to apeil this iational. Young; ldberal
Confer me. The Conference provides a welcc~ ue occasion both
to congratulate axtd thank the Youbg tdlseral movem1ent for
th--part -you pla-jed in the result of Ule. elec-t'oft.
-The contribution of You= w Liberals is Invaluable iii w-aAny
ways not-only in electdcm work and in assistance to members
but -also through cnzlba-tions to olicy development on the whole

EMBARGOED: 8.30 p. m. SATURDAY 3rd January
AUSTRALIA L
TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW GIVEN TO PETER COLLINS FROM SATURDAY WEEK
a
COLLINS: To what extent has your life changed since you became Prime
Minister?
FRASER: I-think it is difficult to define because there has been a
fairly slow and steady change over a long period. As a
private member I used to be able. to spend-a lot more time
with my family but that was very nearly 10 years ago. As a
minister; and as Leader of the Opposition, it has meant more

PRIME MINISTER
A NEW YEAR MES SAGE
Tomorrow is the 75th annivers ary of the establishment
of the Commonwealth. It begins a year which we all
. know will be economically difficult.
If we are prepared to plan and work together I
have complete confidence in our ability to overcome
the challenges we face.
The Government is determined to work for all Australians,
as the servant of the people.
' We want to build a better and more just society, in
which the-re is concern for the less well of-, and in