SUNDAY, 25 MARCH 1973
ADDRESS BY THE PRIME MINISTER,
THE HON. E. G. WHITLAM, TO
THE VICTORIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ALP, ST. KILDA TOWN HALL
This is the first General Assembly of the Victorian
Branch since the . House of Representatives elections. It's the
first time I've spoken in this St. Kilda Town Hall since the
great rally winding up the campaign for those elections.
That meeting, the biggest and most enthusiastic political
meeting I've ever attended is now part of Australian history.

ORATION BY THE PRIM~ E MINISTER AT THE HAND) ING OVER TO
THE BATHUJRST CITY COUNCIL OF THE COTTAGE OF J. B. CHIFLEY,
BATHURST 24 MARCH 1973
It is a profound measure of weight and force of Ben Chifley's
personality that of the 14 Australian Prime Ministers now dead, he is
outstandingly the one whose memory is clearest and strongest in the
hearts and minds of his countrymen. The Chifley legend I use the
word in its nobler sense has a force and meaning, even for the
new generation which never knew him. Each of us will have our own

3 A
A at," NQ DATE
M/ 58 24 March 1973
EMBARGO: Not to be used
in any form before midnight
on Saturday 24 March 1973.
D) IPOMATIC REIlATIONS WITH THE VATICAN
~ The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Whitlam,
announced today that Australia and the Holy See had agreed
to enter into diplomatic relations and agreed to the following
joint communique: " Australia and the Holy See, wishing to promote
mutual friendly relations, have decided to exchange diplomatic
representation, with the rank of Embassy on the part of

EMBARGO: 4. OOPM FRIDAY 23 MARCH 1973 6 1./
4 > A U S RL A&
PRIME MINISTER
THE PROGRESS OF QUEENSLAND
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER
THE HON. E. G. WHITLAM, M. P.,
AT THE OPENING OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT CENTRE,
ANN STREET, BRISBANE, FRIDAY 23 MARCH 1973
This is my first visit to Queensland since
my Government took office. It is a happy occasion for me.
It has also provided me with my first opportunity as
Prime Minister to talk to the Queensland Premier and his
Ministers. This, too, has been personally gratifying.

t
M/ 57 21 March 1973
JOINT COMMUNI UE AT CLOSE OF VISIT
BY YUGOSLAV PRIME MINISTER TO AUSTRALIA
The Prime Minister of Yugoslavia accompanied by Mrs
Bijedic and a party of senior advisers, visited Australia
between 20 and 22 March at the invitation of the Australian
Government for discussions with the Prime Minister of
Australia. The Minister of the Yugoslav Government for
economic matters, Dr Ludviger, also had discussions with
senior officials of the Department of Overseas Trade and
the Treasury. Further discussions were held by the

NQ DATE
M/ 56 21 March 1973
AID FOR KARACHI WATER SUPPLY
Australia is to give aid worth $ 250,000
Stowards the maintenance and expansion of the Karachi
water supply.
SAnnouncing this today, the Minister Assisting
the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Willesee, said
tie aid would be in the form of new equipment for the
factory where concrete pipes are made for the city's
water supply. It would also provide for an Australian
Sexpert to spend several months in Pakistan to supervise
the installation of the new equipment.

Press Statement No~.
March 1973
COMMONWEALTH GRANTS COMMISSION
Cabinet today decided to amend the Grants Commission Act
to authorise a full inquiry into the application of grants for
Local Government purposes*
The Cabinet decision followed the undertaking in Laborts
Election Policy Speech that legislation on the amendment would be
introduced in the first sitting of Federal Parliament.
Today's decision will not alter the Commission's function
regarding special grants paid to claimant States. The Commission

i AUST ; AI. IA,& Press Statement No.
March 1973
COMMONTIEALTH GRANTS COMMISSION
Cabinet today decided to amend the Grants
Commission Act to authorise a full inquiry into the
application o grants for Local Government purposes.
The Cabinet decision followed the undertakinr
in Labor's Eloction Policy Speech that legislation on
the amendments would be introduced in the first sitting
of Federal Parliament.
Today's decision will not alter the Commissinn's
function regarding special grants paid to claimant

-y
. h AUS IAIlAl Press Statement mo. 64
March 1973
DO-JBLE TAXATION AGREEMENTF
Cabinet today ratified double taxation
agreements between Australia and New Zealand and
Australia and, Italy.
The two agreements were signed by the
former Treasurer on Australia's behalf during 1972.
The agreement with Italy is limited to the relief
of double taxation of international airlines.
It provides : hat Qantas will be exempt from Italian
tax and Alitilia from Australian tax.
The agreement with New Zealand covers i1l

Press Statement No. 63
March 1973
AUSTRALIAN FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOL
The Australian Film and Television School will be
established as a Statutory Authority. Cabinet decided today that
the School would have the status of a College of Advanced Education
and would provide a formal curriculum and other activities aimed
at developing creativet highly trained people for film and
television education and the industry generally.
A Bill establishing the School as a statutory body is
expected to be ready later this month. It will be introduced to