CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
CANBEIRA 29 NOVEMBER 1972
Speech by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hhn. William McMahon
M. P.
Mr. President, Members of the National Press Club and Ladies and
Gentlemen of the National Press;
One of the perennial questions in a democracy like ours
is the one about the Press and politics.
Does the Press have the power to radically influence the
political process? Can the Press actually change a Government or alter an
election result? And as a politician, I am isked with some regularity what

PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS THE VOTING SYSTEM
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. William
McMahon, M. P.
Whitlam has stated that a Labor Government would amend
the electoral laws to abolish preferential voting and to introduce
the first-past-the-post system. He qualifies his statement by
adding that this would not be done until the re-election of his
government after a first term of office:.
The full implications of these announcements should be
understood by every Australian.
Mr. Whitlam is totally incapable of enforcing the

N.
ASTRALI
PRIME MINISTER
1972 FEDERAL ELECTION
RESPECT FOR THE LAW
Television Broadcast by the Prime Minister, the Rt.
Hon. William McMahon, CH, MP.
There is no issue which divides the Liberal and Labor
Parties more than the issue of respect for the law.
Our approach is quite clear. We believe that the laws
of Australia as made by Parliament and upheld by the Courts must
be respected and observed by everone. That is basic to the
survival of our democratic society.
I am sure the overwhelming majority of you support this

FOR PRESS: ROAD SAFETY
Statement by the Prime i'inister, the Rt Hon.
William M~ cMahon,_ C. H., M. P.
The Commonwealth Government iA determined to save
lives on the Australian roads.
It is not enough to feel sympathy for those involved
in motor accidents. We must work vigorously with the States to
ensure that every possible means of reducing this toll are
fully exploited. Few poople have not been touched in one way or anothor
by a road tragedy. Road accidcnts rank fourth among the major
causes of death in Australia and arc the

PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS: PRIME MINISTER CALLS FOR HARD LOOK AT FO3EIGN,
DEFENCE ALTERNATIVES
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon.
William McMahon,
The Prime Minister, Mr NcMahon, said today that of all
the issues facing the Australian people at this election, the
defence and foreign policies of the major Parties were undoubtedly
the most critical.
" The other issues, important as they are, will count for
nothing if we are unable to quarantee our people freedom and
security for the future," he said.

FOR PRESS: MR. WHITLAM's ECONOMIC FANTASIES
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. William
r. icMahon, l^. P.
The latest excursion by the Leader of the Labor
Party into economic fantasy and downright inaccuracy illustrate
his complete ignorance of financial principles and facts.
His claim that ne would double national production
in ten years is as ill-considered as his recent declaration
that he would re-value the Australian dollar now, completely
ignoring the damage that would do to our great rural,
manufacturing and mining industries.

NO. 107/ 1.972
MESSACF TO PT'IPE r. INISTER--FLECT OF NEW ZEALAND
Statement by the Prime Minister, the 7t. Hon.
William McMahon, C. H., M. P.
The Prime Minister today sent the following message to
the Prime " inister-Elect of Ne-' Zealand, Mr Norman Kirk:-
" Please accept my congratulations and those of my
Government on your victory in yesterday's elections. I wish
you every success.
I am confident that Australia can count upon your help
and co-operation in maintaining and strengthening the intimate
links between our two countries."

-3 AUSTRALIA
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS PM. No. 106/ 172
MORAL ISSUES IN THE ELECTION
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon.
Williar. _ IcMFahon, C. H. M. P.
During the election campaign questions have been asked
about the attitude of the principal parties on some of the moral
issues of the day. There are fundamental differences between the
Government and the Labor Party on a number of them.
What stand should a Government take on such issues?
Let me state my belief a belief which is implicit in our policies.

FOR PRESS: NO. 105/ 1972
THE CHANNEL 7 ( BRISBANE) INTERVIEW
Statement by the Prime ' i. nist: r, the Rt. Hon.
William " cM'ahop, CH, MP
A great deal of publicity has been given to comments
made by me in a television interview recorded in Brisbane on Friday
for telecasting next W. ednesday.
These have been misconstrued as criticism by me of my
Ministers. The following is the extract from the transcript of the
interview which deals with the incident
" QUESTION
PRI'" tE

FOR PRESS: PM. NO. 104/ 1972
NATURAL GAS PIPELINE
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon.
William McMahon, M. P.
The Prime Minister announced today that he had been
informed that substantial orders are being placed in Australia by
East-Australian Pipeline Corporation Limited on account of
Australian Gas Light Company for steel pipe to be used in the
construction the main trunk and lateral lines for the Gipgealpa/
Sydney natural gas pipeline.
Negotiations had been proceeding for some time between