A4 X/ c~ X~~ V
~ e4~
PRIME MINISTER 4' March 1981
COMMONWEALTH ASSISTANCE TO THE STATES FOR NATURAL
DISASTER RELIEF
I have written to all Premiers, and the Chief Minister of the
Northern Territory proposing that officials consult on a
review of the current arrangements for Commonwealth
assistance to the States and the Northern Territory for
natural disaster relief.
It is estimated that in 19 80/ 81 the Commonwealth will
provide more than $ 71 million under these long standing
arrangements, which help the States and the Northern Territory

4'. AC
PRIME MINISTERFOR
MEDIA SATURDAY, 28 FEBRUARY, 1981
JOINT AUSTRALIA-NMI ZEALAND RELIEF , OPERATION FOR
STRANDED QANTAS PASSENGERS
The Prime minister tonight announced that a joint
Australia-New Zealand relief operation for stranded Qantas
passengers would begin as soon as possible.
Mr. Fraser said Australia and New Zealand Air Force
Hercules C130 aircraft will be used to ferry passengers
each way across ' the Tasman.
The Prime Minister said the New Zealand Prime Minister had

21
FOR MEDIA TUESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 1981
ZEEANFIRE , RELIEF
The Commonwealth Government is to provide financial assistance
for the reconstruction of the Scout Hall which was destroyed
during the recent tragic fire at Zeehan, in Tasmania.
The Scout Hall is an important public facility in Zeehan
and for many years has been the centre point for community
activities, particularly youth groups. Its loss has been
a major blow to the entire community and the Commonwealth
is pleased to join with the State Government in financing

J AU.; TRAL A ,16
PRIME MINISTER
CANBERRA 24 February 1981
j
PRINCE OF WA'LES
The monarchy is interwoven in Australian life in a very real
and vital way. The Crown is part of our constitutional
processes of Government. -Feeling for the Royal Family is
0 deep-seated in the emotions of many Australians, and we all
share and enjoy the public occasions which add colour to Qur
contemporary scene. Each of us can look back on events in
our own lifetime affecting the Royal Family and they stand out
in our memory.
Tonight-is such an occasion.

Jj. AUSTAI
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA TUESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY, 1981
PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATIONS
As in past years, the Government will be holding pre-Budget
consultations over the next three months with key bodies to
seek their views and ideas in the context of the preparation
of the Federal Budget for 1981-82.
The meetings will provide organisations and Ministers with the
opportunity for a frank exchange of views on the state of
the economy and discussion of appropriate Budgetary policy
measures. The Government believes that these annual meetings

4J , AUSTRALIA(
PRIE MINIST[ ER
FOR MEDIA TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 1981
CONDOLENCE MOTION SPEECH
FOR THE. LATE HON. . ERIC ROBINSON
0 On Wednesday 7 January, Honourable Members of this House
were shocked to hear of the sudden and untimely death of
Eric Robinson.
The loss to this nation, to this Parliament, to his friends
and his colleague4 is a heavy one.
I move that this House expresses its deep regret at the death
on 7 January 1931 of the Honourable Eric Laidlaw Robinson, a
Member of this House for the Division of McPherson since 1972,

' 7
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 22 FEBRUARY, 1981
BY-ELECTIONS McPHERSON, BOOTHBY, CURTIN,
I congratulate Peter White, Steele Hall, and Allan Rocher on
their election to the House of Representatives, and look
fOrward to the contribution I know each of them can make to'
the Parliamentary Liberal Party.
The results are a clear demonstration of the continuing
support in Australia for the Government's responsible approacha
to national policy.
I would like to thank all those members of the Liberal-Party

TRALIIG
FOR MEDIA THURSDAY, 19 FEBRUARY, 1981.
VISIT BY THE PRINCE OF WALES
The Prince of Wales has approved the program for his sixteen
day visit to Australia in April.
His Royal Highness will arrive in Canberra by RAF VC 10 from
New Zealand on Sunday 12 April and depart for overseas at
the end of the visit on Monday 27 April.
The Prince of Wales will be in Canberra 12-14 April,
New South Wales 14-16 April, Victoria 16-21 April, Tasmania
12-23 April and South Australia 23-27 April.
As announced previously, the Prince of Wales will open the

do Is-PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA THURSDAY, 19 FEBRUARY, 1981
THE QANTAS DISPUTE
Qantas' international services have been seriously disrupted.
This has arisen over a dispute concerning stewards, staffing
and wage levels. In Australia there are well accepted
mechanisms for settling disputes and it is a tragedy that
they are not properly used... In this~ case the union resorted
to wild-cat strikes as opposed to negotiation. There can be
no justification for that.
In this instance we have Qantas as Australia's international

SAUSTR AL
PM] IN/ L: iM VAI NFS
FOR MEDIA THURSDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 1981
BUNDABERG IRRIGATION PROJECT
The Commonwealth is prepared to join with the Queensland
Government in financing the completion of the Bundaberg
Irrigation Scheme over the next eight years.
I have written to the Queensland Premier to advise him that,
based on the present estimatei. cost of. completion of $ 80 million,
the Commonwealth is prepared to provide $ 4 million in each of the
next eight years provided the Queensland Govermnent provides
$ 6 million each year.