PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA Thursday, 16 March 1983
MINTSTERIAL COMMITTEES
The Government has established three Ministerial co-ordinating
committees with functions as indicated below:
Parliamentary Business Committee
To develop and monitor the legislative program for each
Parliamentary sitting and to oversee the Parliamentary
proceedings and priorities.
Expenditure Review Committee
' Jo examine expenditure proposals in the light of overall
Cabinet budget strategy, and to advise Cabinet on budget

PRIME MIISTER
FOR MbEDIA p Tuesday 15 March, 1933
The Premier of South . ustralia, Mr Bannon, has requested
that Commonwealth approval be. iven to donations to public
appeals on behalf of victims of the recent floods in the
Gawler and Barossa Valley regions of South Australia be
regarded as tax deductible in accordance with the provisions
of the taxation legislation.
I have advised the Premier that the Deputy Commissioner
of Taxation in South Australia has the delegated authority
to approve such requests provided the public appeals

jig) MS hAIA\
PRIME MINISTE 14 March 1983
For Media
COMMONWEALTH DAY
Commonwealth member countries today cnmumorate this unique
association of countries which vary widely in their geography
and racial and cultural backgrounds.
My Government sees the Commonwealth as an instrument for peace
and understanding, and for the political, social and economic
advancement of all its members. I have written to the
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr Ramphal, in response to
his message of congratulations to me following the election,

jAUSTRALIA
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 14 March, 1983
I have received messages of congratulations and good wishes
from President Reagan, Vice President Bush and Secretary of
State George Schultz on the election of my Government.
Each expresses, in the warmest of terms, their intention to
work closely with me and my Government.
President Reagan referred to the long tradition of friendship
and co-operation between the United States and Australia
and to the many close ties between our countries which are

TELEX TO THE PREMIERS AND CHIEF MINISTER
I TAKE THIS FIRST OPPORTUNITY UPON ASSUMING OFFICE AS
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA TO SEND MY WARMEST EXPRESSION
OF GOODWILL TO YOU PERSONALLY AND AS HEAD OF YOUR GOVERNMENT
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CLOSEST CO-OPERATION WITH YOU AND
YOUR GOVERNMENT IN THE GREAT TASK OF SERVING THE PEOPLE
OF AUSTRALIA WHICH WE SHARE IN COMMON.
I NOW MOST CORDIALLY WISH TO INVITE YOU AND YOUR GOVERNMENT
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC SUMMIT CONFERENCE
TO BE HELD AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA DURING THE WEEK

SPEECH BY THE HON R. J, HAWKE, AC., mP,
PRIME MINISTER, AT THE
LABOR DAY DINNER
MELBOURNE 12 MARCH 1983
LET ME SAY FIRST OF ALL: THIS IS NOT
MY NIGHT TONIGHT BELONGS TO YOU, THE MEN AND WOMEN
OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR MOVEMENT, WHO WORKED SO HARD.,
SUFFERED SO MANY DISAPPOINTMENTS AND SETBACKS,
0 AND GIVEN THE LABOR MOVEMENT YOUR LOYALTY AND DEDICATION
TO BRING ABOUT THIS GREAT VICTORY,
AND FOR ME, IT IS A TREMENDOUS PRIVILEGE
TO BE ABLE WITHIN A DAY OF BEING SWORN IN AS
PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA TO SPEAK TO YOU PERSONALLY,

PRIME MINISTER1 Friday 11 March 19-83
VISIT BY THE PRINCE AN. D PRINCESS OF WALES
The Prince and Princess of Wales have offered to visit areas ravaged by
bushfires in Victoria and South Australia to expressz their sympathy to
those most affected. I have accordingly agreed that the visit to the
A71ustralian Capital Territory should be shortened to take place on
Thursday 24 March and the morning of Friday 25 March to facilitate these
Schanged. arrangements. I welcome the proposed special visits as do the
Premiers of Victoria and South Australia.

S'IA1L: M p P -2SIGN > i BOB iAK
t) epca na zil Ch
In cnsidr~~ gthe ap1ropriatce cepartrental structure, I have
hrorne in mind the need-, to ensure that.
the pioii of the Labor Govcrnrnent can be given effect
to readily;
changes from the existing structure are kept to the
minimum necessarvy, so that the public service is not
distracted from the important tasks facing it; and
) roblem areas in the e:.: isting arrangements are remed-ied.
The new depzartmentsc to be created are:
Housing and' Construction
* Special Mnister of-State