TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP, JOHN CURTIN HOUSE, 10 MARCH 1989
E 0 E PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Was there any progress last night Sir, on the
Airport question?
PM: There was progress. We went very late but it's an
extraordinary, complex issue and a lot of figures have to be
examined, tested and I think this is an issue of such
importance that the public will expect us to take our time
in making sure that we get it right and that's what I want
to do. So it'll be up for consideration again next week.
JOURNALIST: How much time do you think it'll take?
PM: well as I said yesterday I hope we'll be able to get it
next week, it may take a little bit longer. I hope we can
get it done next week. And of course we've got another
issue on our plate to consider next week too. The question
of the Wesley Vale Pulp Mill so it's a pretty substantive
week. JOURNALIST: will you be discussing Wesley Vale Pulp Mill
today?
PM: In here? At the Executive? No.
JOURNALIST: Are you concerned about ASIO's latest
assessment of the level of spying in Australia?
PM: Well they're saying that given the expansion of the
region that the number of countries may be increasing their
recruitment amongst the community. All I can say is that I
have total confidence in our relevant security
organisations, total confidence.
JOURNALIST: Does it concern you nevertheless that there
seem to be more spies in migrant groups, in emigre
communities? PM: it is, I guess, more likely in any this is not a
phenomenom of Australia. In any community where you have
migrant groups that's you know a possiblity and this mustn't
be used and I hope it's not implicit in your question of
tarring migrants. It's just a fact of life in any country
that that may be the case. our migrants overwhelmingly
have a commitment to this country and as I say on the other
hand I have total confidence in our relevant organisations.
JOURNALIST: If spying is on the increase do you think we
need to increase ASIO?
-2-
PM: Don't let's get carried away that we would be suddenly
overwhelmed by spies. I mean you really want to get these
things into perspective. The resources of our relevant
organisations are appropriate. If there were any need for
change it would be made.
JOURNALIST: What's your reaction to the Auditor-General's
report which was severely critical of the Department of
Aboriginal Affairs and the Aboriginal Development
Commission? PM: Well let me say two things about that. Obviously I
haven't had the chance to read it in detail but that is in
the process of being examined by the relevant Departments.
I will also certainly read it myself as soon as I get the
time, read it in full. But I must say I'm very interested
to see the media reaction, given all the hype that was going
on before, I mean there seems to be the general conclusion
that there's not much gold in it for those who were seeking
to make great ore body out of this.
JOURNALIST: inaudible
PM: Let me finish, let me finish. The other thing to say
is of course this is one of a number of reports that have
been commissioned by the Government and it's not appropriate
therefore to make a detailed response until we've got all
those reports. Now we'll have those I hope before the
Parliament resumes and it'll be my intention to make a
comprehensive statement about this and all relevant reports
then. It's inappropriate to go any further at this stage
and I don't intend to.
JOURNALIST: Do you think it clears Charlie Perkins to any
extent? PM: Well I think it's fair to say in that respect that
Charlie Perkins on that report is cleared but I'm not making
any further comment about it for the reasons I've just said.
ends