F75/ 11
EMBARGO: 8 P. M. DECEMBER 31. AUSTRALIA. d
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS DECEMBER 31, 1975
The Prime Minister has sent the following message to the
Prime Minister of India:
It was with a sense of deep shock that I have learnt of the
full dimensions of the Chasnala coal mine disaster on
December 27.
On belialf of the Government and the people of Australia I
should like to extend our heart felt-sympathy to the Government
of India6 and the families of those who have lost their lives
in this national disaster.

F75/ 10
43UTALIA
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS DECEMBER 30,' 1975
ADDRESS AT DECLARATION OF THE WANNON POLLS
I said 2* 0 years ago that I was the representative in the
Federal Parliament of every person in the electorate no
matter how they voted.
That has remained true in all the years since.
In the'job that I now have, it is -important to restate that
principle in a wider context.
The Liberal and National Country Parties were returned to
Government, not to govern only for those who voted for them,

F75/ 9
FOR PRESS 29 December 1975
MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE FROM PRESIDENT FORD ON THE DEATH. OF
AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES
The Prime Minister, the Hon. Malcolm Fraser, today
received the following message of condolence on the death of
the Australian Ambassador to the United States, Sir Patrick
Shaw, from the President of the United States, Mr Gerald Ford.
"' Oh behalf of-. the United States Government and
myself L offer our condolences at the untimely death of
Ambassador Sir Patrick Shaw. He has~ been an outstanding

F75/ 8
28 DECEMBER, 1975
SIR PATRICK SHAW.
The Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Fraser, paid
tribute today to the late Sir Patrick Shaw, Australia's
Ambassador to the United States, who died suddenly in
Washinvton. on 27 December.
The Prime Minister said that Sir Patrick Shaw
had given long and distinguished service in a number of
very senior positions both in the Department off Foreign
Affairs in Canberra and abroad. Mr Fraser said that
* Sir Patrick's personal qualities had earned him the high

F 75/ 7
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS DECEMBER 26, 1975
VISIT BY THE KIN'G OF JORDAN
The King of Jordan has accepted an invitation to visit
Australia next year as a guest of the Government. He will
be accompanied by the Queen of Jordan.
King Hussein will make his State Visit from March 2 to
March 9. He will visit Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.
Arrangements are also being made for him to inspect an
irrigation area.
The Government welcomes the visit as an indication of
Australia's friendly ties with Jordan, and hopes it will foster

1. ri 22 December ] 975
FOR. P:, RESS THE. NEt\ MINISTv
His EXcellency the
new rrL-n2sf-ry which Governor-Genral
W~ as announced on 1to8 dDayeC eamp!: p eori-ntd he
Executiv' Council action has been taken o lrplement
were hfecarders. hnatdroawteidv e changes and other appointirents which
on 18 December.
A list Of the Ministry is attached. I.. 75/ 4

F75/ 5
FOR PRESS DECEMBER 22, 1975
DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT
The appointment is announced of Dr D. F. McMichael as
Director of Environment, as a First Division position in
the Department of the Environment, Housing and Community
Development. The Government wishes to make full and effective use of'the
talents of Dr. McMichael, who is an outstanding environmentalist.
He will have direct access to the Minister for the Environment,
HRousing and Community Development oh relevant matters.
Continuing attention is being given to the placement of

F75/ 3
TRA. 1_ 21 December 1975
FOR PRESS
A committee has been appointed to review Government expenditure
and recommend on ways to eliminate waste and duplication within
and between Government departments and between Commonwealth
and State Government departments.
The committee will be under the chairmanship of Sir Henry
: Bland, and will be known as the Administrative Review Committee.
It will begin its work immediately.
The Committee will investigate Government programmes and services

INTERVIEW WITH TONY WALKER OF RADIO AUSTRALIA ON 19 DECEMBER 1975
4TERVIEWER: Mr Fraser, what do you see as your most important priorities
in Government?
RIME MINISTER: First to get a good sound administration that can grapple
with the internal economic difficulties and cut out
extravagance and waste, cut out duplication in the general
administration of the country, and get the economy back onto
a sound basis so people can plan their own futures,
their businesses futures in a way that will be predictable.

ALIA
_ Y 4.
^~ uSrRA3A.
PRIME EINISTER
FOR PRESS DECEMBER 19i 1975
THE DEPARTMENTS OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE AND BUSINESS AND'CONSUMER
AFFAIRS The division of responsibility between the new Departments of
Industry and Commerce and of Business and Consumer Affairs is
a logical development under the Government's proposals to
streamline administration and eliminate duplication.
The Department of Industry and Commerce is under a Minister
who is a member of the Cabinet.
It is. the principal contact point for industry, as well as being