PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 29 DECEMBER 1989
Following the visit to Newcastle yesterday by the Prime
Minister and the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Bowen to
assess the situation following the earthquake, the Acting
Prime Minister announced today arrangements for Commonwealth
assistance, including financial assistance, to Newcastle.
Mr Bowen noted that the Natural Disasters Organisation ( NDO)
had worked quickly and effectively with the State and local
authorities in Newcastle in the immediate aftermath of the

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 28 DECEMBER 1989
The Prime Minister flew to Newcastle late this afternoon to
assess first hand the situation resulting from today's
earthquake. He earlier sent the following two messages:
" 1MESSAGE TO NEWCASTLE WORKERS' CLUB
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the families
and friends of those affected by the earthquake damage to
the Workers' Club. The loss of life and the injuries in
this appalling event are truly tragic and the thoughts of
all Australians will be with you and with all the citizens

PRIME MINISTER7
TRANSCRIPT OF NEWS CONFERENCE, PARLIAMENT HOUSE, 21
DECEMBER 1989
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
PM; Just a statement, no questions?
JOURNALIST: What did Mr Bush have to say to you this
morning when he called you, Mr Prime Minister?
PM: Well he explained the circumstances of the military
intervention by the United States. Of course, let me say
that the Government regrets any circumstances where
intervention by a military force occurs. However, I want
to make it clear as I did to President Bush when he rang

P. M.' S PRE55 OFFICE CRND TEL: 51-052-732923 rj9,01390 14: 50 NO. 002 F. 01
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 22 DECEMBER 1988
The Government has formally nominated about 262,000 hectares
Of South West Tasmania for World Heritage Listing. The
nomination adds to the existing World Heritage site some
per cent of the Lemonthyme and Southern Forests inquiry
area, together with the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and
the Central Plateau Conservation Area.
The co~ nbined area, to be known as the Tasmanian World

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 17 DECEMBER 1989
So*, vi~ et Premier Nikolai Ryzhkov will visit Australia from
1.3-16 February 1990. fie will be the most senior Soviet
figure ever to do so.
Premier Ryzhkov' s visit, which is in response to a
long-standing invitation from me, underlines the important
* contact that has been developed between Australia and the
Soviet Union in recent years.
My Government has worked to expand what was formerly a
narrow and neglected bilateral relationship into one where

r-. nM rrwCVV orrz I cnrnrN TEL. / 3
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 15 DECEMBER 1989
I am delighted that the Dalai Lama's long-standing and
peaceful attempts to improve the lot of the Tibetan
people have been recognised by the award of the Nobel
Peace Prize.
I join many other members of the international community
in offering my congratulations to the Dalai Lama. The
Australian Government hopes that the award will
contribote to reducing tensions in Tibet and will help
the Tibetan people achieve the universal standards of

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 15 December 1989
I will be paying an official visit to New Zealand from
1-4 February 1990.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Palmer invited me to visit
New Zealand in early February next year to participate in
New Zealand's 150th Anniversary celebrations. I am very
happy to be able to take up his kind invitation.
While in New Zealand, I will be holding extensive
discussions with Prime Minister Palmer. Our agenda will
cover bilateral, regional and global issues and address

PRIME MINISTER
CHECK RGAINST DELIVERY EIBARED-UNITLInLIVERY
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER
OPERATION IMMUNE " THANK YOU" CEREMONY
RICHMOND RAAF BASE 15 DECEMBER 1989
On behalf of the people of Australia, it is my pleasure
today to thank all those pilots, aircrews and support staff
who over the last three and a half months have taken part in
Operation Immune.
Operation Immune has provided the nation with vital air
services at a time when the domestic airline industry had
been crippled by the shortsightedness and greed displayed by

9'.
PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF NEWS CONFERENCE, RICHMOND RAAF BASE, SYDNEY
DECEMBER 1989
E OE PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke airlines are pressing ahead with
their damages claim?
PM: Well whether they're going to the point of collection I
don't know. I hope they're not. Obviously the formal
proceedings have to go to a conclusion. But I've expressed
my view very clearly that I hope they don't move to a
collection of damages.
JOURNALIST: Mr Peacock says a coalition government would

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 14 DECEMBER 1989
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr lan
Burgess, Managing Director of CSR Limited, as a member of
the Australian Public Service Management Advisory Board.
Mr Burgess will replace Mr David Block, AC, as the
representative with management expertise in the private
sector. His appointment will commence with the first
board meeting in 1990, and will be for two years.
I have earlier expressed my appreciation for the valuable
contribution made by Mr Block during his two years as a