PM Transcripts

I
PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF DOORSTOP, HYATT HOTEL, CANBERRA
4 OCTOBER 1989
E OE PROOF ONLY
JOURNALIST: Are you pleased with the pilots' outcome?
PM: Just let's understand what has happened. The pilots
have reiterated in their press statement that they are not
going to operate within the guidelines. They have issued a
log of claims. They have no employees in the airlines now.
The matter is before the Commission and it will be precisely
for the Commission to determine whether in its judgement, in
these circumstances where the Pilots' Federation is still
saying that they will not be bound by the guidelines,
whether there is any place for the Federation. So in that
sense their statement has only confirmed what their position
has been from the beginning, that is their repudiation of
the guidelines. In those circumstances obviously what will
continue to happen is that the airlines will continue to
build up their capacity to gradually build up the proportion
of normal operations. That will go on and full operations
will be restored. As I say, it will be a matter for the
Commission as to whether there is any place for the
Federation in it. I would presume and I of course don't
speak for, I can't and wouldn't presume to speak for the
Commission but obviously the Commission is not going to
see a place for the Federation if the Federation continues
to say that it is not bound by the guidelines. Now those
are the simple facts.
ends