FOR PRESS: P. M. No. ! 9/ 1969
" THANK YOU" FROM VICTCRIA
The Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton, has rpceive69
the following letter from the Premier of Victoria, Sir Hen
" I would be glad if you would convey to
your colleagues the gratitude and appreciation felt by
the people of Victoria, the government, and myself,
for the wonderful co-operation and assistance given
by Commonwealth authorities in the rail accident
involving the Southern Aurora on the 7th February.
In particular I would like to mention

RELEASE: 8 a, m. 12 February 1969
FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 18/ 1969
PRIME MINISTER'S TALKS WITH PRESIDENTW NIXON
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
I have been pleased to accept President Nixon's
invitation to make a visit to Washington on 31 March.
The visit will provide an opportunity for
discussions on matters of interest to both Australia and to
the United States.
CANBERRA 12 February 1969
Background: The Washington talks, beginning on the 31st,
may extend over two days. The Prime Minister is likely to

FOR PRESSP. M. No. 17,1969
NEW MINISTER FOR AIR
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr John Gort
His Excellency the Governor-General has authorised me
to announce that Mr G. D. Erwinj M. Member for Ballaarat, who
is the Government Whip, will be appointed Minister for Air. He
will be sworn in on Thursday, 13 February.
Mr Erwin's promotion is well earned and he will be a
welcome addition to the Ministry. The new Minister for Air will
also carry out the responsibilities of Leader of the House of

FOR PRESS : 1 a
PM. No. 16, 1969
APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNOR-GENERAL
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr John Gorton
Her Majesty The Queen has graciously approved the
appointment of a distinguished Australian, the Rt. Hon. Paul
Hasluck, to be her Governor-General of, and representative in,
Australia. He will take up the appointment when Lord Casey
relinquishes his appointment at the end of April this year.
In announcing this Her Majesty has also been graciously
pleased to appoint Lord Casey to be a Knight of the Most Noble

FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 15/ 1969
NEW MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gti
Following the resignation of the Rt. Hon. Paul
Hasluck, His Excellency the Governor-General has authorised
me to announce that the Hon. Gordon Freeth, M. Minister
for Air and Minister Assisting the Treasurer, will be appointed
Minister for External Affairs. He will be sworn in on Tuesday,
11 February.
CANBERRA February 1969

FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 14/ 1969
LORD CASEY
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
satisfaction Casey to be I believe all Australians will share a sense of
at Her Majesty's gracious appointment of Lord
a Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
It is fitting that this great Australian, at the
close of his most remarkable, varied and distinguished career
of devoted public service, both at home and abroad, should be
appointed to this, the most ancient and noble order of Chivalry.
On behalf of us all I am conveying to Lord and

FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 13/ 1969
MESSAGE FROM NEW ZEALAND
The Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton, today
received the following message from the Prime Minister( f
New Zealand, Mr. Keith Holyoake:-
" ALL NEW ZEALAND IS APPALLED
BY THE TERRIBLE DISASTER TO THE SOUTHERN
AURORA. 1 A i
WILL YOU PLEASE CONVEY TO ALL
THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED THROUGH THE
TRAGEDY THE DEEP SYMPATHY OF THE
GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND.
CANBERRA February 1969 1 L y
I: cD ~ nn I

EMIBARGO: NOT FOR RELEASE BY ANY MEDIA BEFORE
MID~ C ~ YT I~ Y RMRY 1969
FOR PRESS: P. M. L No. 10/ 196 13 FES 9
WEST AUSTRALIAN NUCLEAR HARBOUR STUDY
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
The Australian Government recently invited the Government
of the United States to participate in carrying out a study of the technical
and economic feasibility of using nuclear explosives to blast out a new
deep-water harbour at Cape Keraudren on the northwest coast of Australia.
We have today received an official reply from the United

FOR PRESS; P. M. L No. 1/ 96
" SOUTHERN AURORA" TRAGEDY O~ j3 FE3 11969
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
I extend my deepest sympathy to the injured,
and to the families of those killed, in today's tragic rail
collision in Victoria. I amr sure all Australians are shocked at this
terrible accident, and join me In this expression of sympathy.
I have instructed my Department to keep in
touch with the Victorian authorities and to offer all possible
assistance. The Army was quickly on the scene to help with

0/ 0
E fBARGO EiBARGO EMBARGO EMBARGO EMBARGO
EMARGOED NOT FOR RELEASE BY ANY MEDIA BEFORE MIDNIGHT ( EST)
ON THURSDAY 6TH FEBRUARY, 1969
N. D. 14 91
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
( Hon. David Fairbairn, M. P.)
AUSTRALIAN PLANS FOR CAPE IREAUDREN FEASIBILITY STUDY
SThe Minister for National Development, Mr David
Fairbairn, today gave details of the arrangements made to
ensure Australia's full and effective participation in the
feasibility study. " We have set up an Australian Plowshare Committee