PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF NEWS CONFERENCE, WARREN SNOWDON'S OFFICE, ALICE
SPRINGS, 30 MARCH 1989
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, were you able to give the
Aboriginal people a timetable for the introduction of the
ATSIC Bill or for the completion of the ATSIC Bill?
PM: I spoke to them about that, but that's something that's
got to go to the Cabinet on Monday and iL's not appropriate,
ye told them in conference the broad outlines of what I
think wil. be happening. But it's qot to go to the Cabinet

44-
PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF NEWS CONFERENCE, PRIME TELEVISION STATION, 29
MARCH 1989
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JOURNALIST: How much of a loss to the Ministry is Gary
Punch's resignation?
PM: Well it's a loss. How do you quantify it? I can't
quantify it. It's a loss. The Government is in the
fortunate position of course of having a very considerable
reservoir of talent on the backbench and I'm confident that
from that reservoir of talent they will elect a very
competent replacement.
JOURNALIST: Were you surprised by his decision?

W ' J'JL I
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA28 MARCH 1989
It is with regret that I announce that the Hon. Gary Punch,
the Minister for Telecommunications and Aviation Support,
has decided to resign from the Ministry.
I have recommended to the Governor-General that this
resignation be accepted. I wish to take this opportunity to
express my appreciation for the contribution 14r Punch has
made as a member of the Government.
I will be recommending to the Governor-General that the Hon.
Ros Kelly be appointed as Minister for Telecommunications

PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF NEWS CONFERENCE, DENMIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL, DENMAN
23 MARCH 1989
E & EO0-PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Mr Hawke, what do you think of the allegations
by people like Sandra Nor that you're just a little bit
too closely involved with Sir Peter Abeles and that's influenced
Your decision on the airport?
PM: Just let me suggest you be very careful about that
because I've spoken to my solicitors this morning and a
writ will be issued against the Sydney Morning Herald.

TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW WITH MIKE CARLTON, RADIO 2GB, 23
MARCH 1989
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CARLTON: Prime minister, good morning.
PM: Good morning Mike.
CARLTON: Are you surprised at the passion that this is
gene rating?
PM: No, not particularly. That's something that in a sense
had to be expected and had to be dealt with. I mean you
don't make decisions on the basis of passionate feelings
because if you did that you'd never make any decisions
because just about any area of politics these days where

FOR MEDIA 22 MARCH 1989
It was with deep regret that I learned of the death of
Nelson Lemmon.
Mr Lemmon served in the House of Representatives as the
Member for Forrest from 1943-49 and as the Member for St
George from 1954-55. He was Minister for Works and Housing
1946-49 in the Chifley Government and was the last surviving
Minister of that Government.
Mr Lemmon, as Minister for Works and Housing, played a major
role in Australia's reconstruction after the War.
He supervised the start of the great Snowy Mountains

TRANSCRIPT OF RADIO INTERVIEW WITH JOHN JOST, RADIO 3uz
MELBOURNE -22 MARCH 1989
Z6 0 9 PROOF ON4LY
JOST: And it is welcome to the Prime Minister of Australia,
Bob Hawke. Thanks for joining us.
PM: Pleasure John as always.
JOST: Well Prime Minister you have been making a big media
splash lately.
PM: Well, there seems to have been a bit of coverage, yes
John. JOST: Big coverage. I want to ask you, why did you talk so
frankly about your marriage to Clive Robertson?
PM: Well there was nothing planned about it. As you know,

TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP, RADIO 3UZ, MELBOURNE
22 MARCH 1909
R. 0 E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: How much electoral damage do You think the
airport decision will do to your Government? Will it
threaLten your Government's survival?
PM: No, I don't think it will threaten the survival
but it is the case that in regard to a few seats around
the airport there'll be some strong feelings. I believe
that once the message gets out, which is the truth, that
there will be a reduction in the number of Lhose affected

PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF NEWS CONFERENCE, PARLIAMENT HOUSE
22 MARCH 1989
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PM: Well I am sorry it's late but I thought as a matter of
courtesy I would come and just make a brief statement. AS
you know Mr Willis will be available in a more detailed
press conference tomorrow. Cabinet has spent now a very
considerable period of time considering this matter. It
goes without saying there were a number of complex
considerations that have had to be taken into account.
There were many of us in the Cabinet, and I include myself

FOR MEDIA 22 MARCH 1989
JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE PRIME MINISTER AND
THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS,
THE HON RALPH WILLIS
The Government has decided to develop a third runway at
Kingsford-Smith Airport ( KSA) subject to the satisfactory
completion of normal EIS processes, and to begin the development
of a second airport at Badgery's Creek.
The proposed mode of operation for the third runway would not
allow departures to the north, and would confine use of the eastwest
runway to circumstances when adverse weather conditions