FOR PRESS: PM. NO. 103/ 1972
COST OF ELECTION PROPOSALS
Statement by the Prime Mlinister, the Rt. Hon.
William McMahon, C. H., M. P.
I was hoping to announce the cost figures of the
Government's new proposals in the Liberal Party Policy Speech
together with costs of the Labor Party proposals on a comparable
basis. This is not possible. In many cases, there is no detail
and no clear basis for costing Labor's proposals. The details of our
proposals on a full year basis are set out below:-
COSTING OF NEW PROPOSALS FULL YEAR BASIS

FOR PRESS: PM. NO. 102/ 1972
PUBLIC ACCESS TO GARDEN ISLAND
Joint Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon.
William I-c7ahon, CH, MP.
and the Premier of Western Australia,
the Hon. J. T. Tonkin, i2. L. A.
Agreement in principle has been reached between the
Commonwealth and the Western Australian Governments on an outline
of arrangements for public access to Garden Island after the Naval
Facility is completed in 1975.
It will be recalled the Prime M4inister announced in May
that it was intended about iCOO acres and 10 miles of beaches on

FOR PRESS: PM. NO. 101/ 1972
HOME PAYMENZ~ ASSISTANCE
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. William
Mcl~ ahon. C. H., M. P.
The Government has given the closest consideration
to the scheme for tax deductions on housing loans interest, which
the Labor Party has announced and rejected it as unworkable. It
is against the interests of young married people.
Administratively, it is complicated and, if tried,
would have to be abandoned.
The Labor Party's claims that the scheme is superior to
the Government's proposals are false.

FOR PRESS: PM No. 100/ 1972
ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO NATIONAL URBAN AND
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Statement by the Prime Minister. the Rt. Hon. William
Mc'ahon,. M. P.
The Prime Minister, Ur McMahon, today announced that several
eminent Australians had already indicated their willingness to
become members of the Advisory Committee to the National Urban
and Regional Development Authority.
The Act establishing the Authority requires the appointment
of a committee of persons, who, by their knowledge and experience,

NOT FOR RELEASE BEFORE 5 P. M. ON 10/ 11/ 72
FOR PRESS: PM. No. 98/ 1972
VISIT BY PRINCE BERNHARD
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon.
William McMahon, M. P.
Prince Bernhard, Consort of the Queen of The
Netherlands, has accepted the Government's invitation to
visit Australia next February.
Prince Bernhard's visit is expected to commence in
Canberra on Thursday, 1 February, and to be followed by
visits to the Barrier Reef, Melbourne and Sydney.
The programme of engagements for the visit will be

EMBARGO: NOT FOR--ASE ON 1/ ll/ 2
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS: PY1. N; o. 99/ 1972
LOAN TO FIJI
Statement by the Prime " inister, the Rt. } Ion. William
Mc ! ahon,
The Prime inister, Nr cahon, announced today, that
in response to a request of the Fiji Government, the Australian
Government had decided to join with the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development and New 7ealanI in helping to
finance a road project in Fiji.
The project, which entails extensive reconstruction

. AU8TAIAm
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS: PM. No. 97/ 1972
D. F. R. B. AND SUPERANNUATION ENQUIRIES
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. William
1McMahon,
On 26 October 1972, I made a statement in the
House of Representatives on the outcome of the Government's
consideration of the Report of the Joint Select Committee
on Defence Fcrces Retiriment Benefits Legislation.
In the course of this statement I announced that
the Government had detcided to arrange for independent expert
investigation in respect of two matters arising from the

PRAUSTRAIAISTE
FOR PRESS: R. I. No. 96/ 1972
RELASEOF COMMONWAEALTH LAND ON SYDN4EY
HARBOUR FORESHORES
Statement by the Prime 1Hinister, the Rt. Hon. William
Mclalon, C. H. MP.
For some time n~ ast the Commonwealth has been
discussing with the State of New South Wales the release of
substantial areas of Commonwealth land on Sydney Harbour
foreshores, so far held mainly for defence purposes.
The nature of the Commonwealth use has tended to
keep the areas relatively undeveloped, at least in comparison

EMBARGOS: U6NPD. AMY., 5 NOVEMBER
FOR PRESS: PM. No. 95/ 1972
NURDA APPOINVr' ENTS
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. William
McMahon,
The appointment of Sir John Overall, as
Commissioner, and Mr Robert Broughton Lansdown, as Deputy
Commissioner of the National Urban and Regional Development
Authority, was welcomed today by the Prime Minister,
Mr McMahon. Mr McMahon said Sir John had been appointed Commissioner
until 14 July 1973, and* Mr Lansdown had been appointed Deputy
Commissioner for a period of 7 years.

EMBARGOED UNTIL 6P. M., SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER
FOR PRESS: PM. No. 94/ 1972
PENSION AGREEMENT WITH ITALY
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon.
William McMahon, C. H. MP.
Agreement has been reached between the Australian and Italian
Governments to allow Australian pensioners to continue to receive
their pensions while in Italy.
The Prime Minister, Mr McMahon, announcing this today, said
the agreement applied equally to people born in Australia and those
born overseas, but it was expected to be especially welcomed by