PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER
UNSCRnP* OF DOORSTOP, PALATAS RECEPTION CMWR.,
wJn; en 23 FEBRARY 1990
3 a 0 PR0P ONLY
PM! Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a press
conference, it's not for questions. But I want to take
this opportunity of immediately clarifying the
misrepresentation which has occurred in regard to the NCA
situation. You will recall yesterday when I spoke about
this matter, my remarks were directed to protecting the
integrity of Lionel Bowen. Just let me refer quickly to
what I had to say. I must say that I an terribly annoyed
at the implication against the integrity of one of the
finest men in Australian politics and I refer of course
to Liohnel Boven. And I indicated then that in terms of
protecting the slur on the integrity of Lionel Boven that
I would make arrangements with Lionel Bowen that Mr
Peacoc= k would be able to talk to Mr Boven and see the
documents on the basis of Mr Boven's actions. And of
course, what Mr Peacock is now suqgesting is that he
should have access to all the NCA documents. Nov Mr
Bovwen himself, as Attorney-oGeneral, does not have access
to all those documents. All that I, of course, was
referring to is the fact that if there was a
Communication from the NCA to Mr Bowen asking for a
reference and then a decision by Mr Boven that those
documents should be available to Mr Peacock so that he
could see that Lionel Bowen had acted according to the
proper processes in this matter. Of course, no
suggestion that Mr Peacock could have access to NCA
documents but the Attorney-General himself doesn't have
access to. So I hope that clears the matter once and for
all. Thank you.
ends