PM Transcripts

IA
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 9 JUNE 1989
The Australian Government stands ready to provide an
immediate grant of $ 200,000 to help Chinese people who are
in need of humanitarian assistance following recent events.
Discussions are taking place between officials and the
Australian Red Cross Society on ways of providing
assistance. Governments and Red Cross have often worked together to
ensure that humanitarian relief reaches people under
difficult circumstances.
Right now Red Cross is exploring acceptable ways of reaching
those people. It is vital that the humanitarian work of
organisations like Red Cross continues without disruption.
Government officials will maintain close contact with Red
Cross about needs in China as the situation evolves.
Should an Australian appeal be launched, I call on all
Australians to give generously and in this context very much
welcome the initiative taken by Wayne Goss on 7 June to
focus attention on this humanitarian matter.