FOR MEDIA 22 DECEMBER 1987
I am pleased to announce that this afternoon the
Commonwealth, the States and the Northern Territory have
agreed to take major initiatives in the area of gun control.
This meeting presented us with the opportunity to exercise
leadership on a matter of increasing, and justified, public
concern. The Governments represented at today's meeting agreed that
the cost we ad a society are paying for guns is unacceptably
high. we agreed we have the obligation to take what steps we can

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 16 DECEMBER 1987
Senator Susan Ryan, the Special Minister of State, has today
informed me of her intention to retire from politics.
I greatly regret that I and the Cabinet will be losing Susan
Ryan's talents. She has brought special perspectives to all her
tasks from her wide range of interests and particularly her long
standing concern with women's issues and education. She has been
a most valued colleague and an effective and articulate Minister
both in the Education portfolio, and latterly, as Special

PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA16 DECEMBER 1987
Unfortunately, Geoff marsh is unavailable for the Prime
Minister's XI match at Manuka on 23 December.
In his place, Laurie Sawle and I have selected Greg Matthews
of New South Wales to play in the side. I am sure ACT
cricket fans will appreciate another opportunity to see
this entertaining and talented cricketer, who has been in
very good form this season. 0034165

JAUSTRALIA
FOR MEDIA 15 DECEMBER 1987
At the invitation of the Governor-General, Her Majesty Queen
Beatrix and His Royal Highness Prince Claus of the
Netherlands will make a State Visit to Australia from 24
October to 5 November 1988.
The Queen and Prince Claus are expected to visit Canberra,
Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.
This visit is particularly apt in our Bicentennial year
because of the historical links between Australia and the
Netherlands, and the participation by the Netherlands in our

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PRIME MINISTER
EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
LAUNCH OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION KIT
" WILDERNESS: THE ORIGINAL AND THE
BEST OF PLANET EARTH"
MELBOURNE 14 DECEMBER 1987
It is my pleasure today to launch the Wilderness Society's
first environmental education kit entitled " Wilderness: The
original and the Best of Planet Earth".
it is particularly appropriate that we launch this project
today, the anniversary of the World Heritage Listing of the
South West Tasmanian wilderness.

11 DECEMBER 1987

Lawrie Sawle, the National Chairman of Selectors, and I have chosen the following team to represent the Prime Minister's XI against New Zealand at Manuka Oval on 23 December 1987:

FOR MEDIA 11 DECEMBER 1987
The Governor-General in Council today approved the
appointment of Professor Dennis Pearce as Commonwealth
Ombudsman for a term of 3 years.
Professor Pearce, Professor of Law at the Australian
National University, has outstanding qualifications. He has
an extensive background in administrative law and is a
leading Australian authority on statutory interpretation and
delegated legislation. He has been adviser to a number of
parliamentary committees and has represented Australia in

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PRIME MINISTER
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER
OPENING OF PEACE AND DISARMAMENT BUREAU
SYDNEY 11 DECEMBER 1987
Mick Young
Bob McMullan
Deborah Walton
We could hardly be meeting at a more appropriate or
auspicious time.
while we in Sydney are opening a Bureau to advance the work
of the Australian Labor Party in the vital field of Peace
and Disarmament, the leaders of the two superpowers are just
now finishing their meeting in Washington which has promoted

FOR MEDIA 10 DECEMBER 1987 Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales will visit Australia from Monday 25 January to Wednesday 3 February. Their tour will include New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory. The program of engagements to be undertaken by The Prince and Princest of Wales will focus mainly on the Bicentenary. They will join millions of Australians watching and participating in the Australia Day Celebrations in Sydney on 26 January.

9 DECEMBER 1987

The Government welcomes the agreement that has been reached on intermediate range nuclear forces.