I was deeply shocked to hear of the tragic accident on the Pacific Highway early this morning.

I extend my deepest sympathy to the families of those who have lost their lives and my earnest hope for the recovery of the injured.

Bob Hawke
 

TRANSCRIPT OF NEWS CONFERENCE, PAN PACIFIC HOTEL, 20 OCTOBER
1989 E 0 E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, have you been briefed on the
Grafton bus crash?
PM: I've been told about the I understand that 22 people
have lost their lives and I'm asking for full information
when I get back. I was trying to find out whether there was
one particular group of people that were in it so that if
there's any group that I can send some message to. But I
just simply want to take this opportunity and I thank you

PRIME MINISTER
E& 0 E PROOF ONLY
TRANSCRIPT OF A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE BY THE PRIM( E MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA AND
THlE CANADIAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER, MR JOE CLARK, PWTC KUALA LUMPUR,_
19 OCTOBER 1989
PM: At the outset, let me pay tribute to the work of the Committee of Foreign
Ministers on Southern Africa chaired by Joe Clark of Canada established at the
last meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government in Vancouver and the input
that they have made during that period has been very significant for us in

' 4 ASRLA
PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF NEWS CONFERENCE, PAN PACIFIC HOTEL, KUALA
LUMPUR, 19 OCTOBER 1989
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, the decision by the banks to refinance
South Africa. How bad a blow is that to the Commonwealth's
effort to get sanctions?
PM: Well it shouldn't be exaggerated. I think you should
understand that there never was a real expectation that there
wouldn't be a rescheduling but we had hoped that there would
be a further period of consideration, it wouldn't be done so

18 October 1989

The following message was sent to President Bush today.

Begins

I was deeply shocked to learn of the loss of life and severe damage in San Francisco and surrounding areas as a result of today's earthquake.

The sympathy of all Australians goes out to you and the American people in this tragedy.

Bob Hawks ends 

PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP, SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR,
18 OCTOBER 1989
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, what went wrong? I thought we
had the numbers.
PM: I thought we did too. I think it's one of these cases
that happens in ballots sometimes. But I think people, you
know, weren't absolutely exact in what they indicated their
voting intentions might be but I don't know with certainty
the numbers because they weren't announced but I think that
it only required a switch of just a very few votes. So it

PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP, SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR, 18
OCTOBER 1989
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Are you both still confident?
PM: I think that we are a little bit in front and I'm a
betting man as you know, just occasionally. If I were
betting I would be installing Malcolm as favourite.
JOURNALIST: Do you agree with that, Mr Fraser?
FRASER: Yes well from what I think we both learned over the
last two or three days the mood's improving so I certainly
agree with it.
ends

1, A U SRAMI,,
TRANSCRIPT OF NEWS CONFERENCE, ORIENTAL HOTEL,
SINGAPORE, 17 OCTOBER 1989
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Mr Malcolm Fraser went through last night
on his way to Kuala Lumpur exuding confidence about
winning the election for Secretary General. Is he
being a bit too optimistic
PM: No, I believe that, as I've said, that Mr Fraser
is slightly in front. I thought that before I came.
The discussions that I've been able to have since I've
been here have confirmed that impression.
JOURNALIST: Do you think the vote will wait for the

TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP, FAIRBAIRN RAAF BASE, CANBERRA
16 OCTOBER 1989
E OE PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Is Mr Fraser's nomination locked away in Kuala
Lumpur? Are you confident?
PM: It's very close. We think we're in front. But it's a
bit too close to call.
JOURNALIST: Are you encouraged by developments in South
Africa over the weekend. You'll be discussing sanctions.
Is the de Klerk government moving fast enough for you?
PM: Not fast enough but there are signs of positive change.
We'll be discussing these there and particularly I'll be

15 October 1989

I call on the Pharmacy Guild of Australia to negotiate on the issue of Pharmacy remuneration on the basis agreed at our meeting on 27 September.

Contrary to the agreement reached at that meeting that the decision of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Remuneration Tribunal was a fact and would be accepted as such, and that the integrity of the budget would be maintained the Guild now seeks an increase in dispensing fees above the level determined by the Tribunal, fees paid out of taxpayers money.