PM Transcripts

I.~ FOR MEDIA 29 MARCH 1990
I note that the Leader of the Opposition has today conceded
the defeat of the Liberal/ National Party Coalition in the
Federal election and I thank Mr Peacock for that concession.
Although the count of votes remains to be completed, it is
obvious that the Australian Labor Party will have a clear
workable majo) rity in the House of Representatives. The
Labor Party therefore in a position to proceed to form a
fourth Governiment.
I have today informed the Governor-General accordingly and
he has agreed, in those circumstances, that the caretaker
period is now over.
I have informied the Governor-General that I expect the party
processes foj-the selection of a new Ministry to be
completed by early next week in time for the formal swearing
in of the Ministry on Wednesday 4 April 1990.
I wish to express, as I did on election night, my deep
appreciation to the people of Australia for entrusting to us
the responsilhility of a fourth term in Government. It is my
firm intention that this will be a Government concerned
above all with the pursuit of the national interest and a
government for all Australians.
I repeat the pledge which I made during the election
campaign that the Government will devote all its energy,
creativity and determination to pursuing our vision of the
sort of Australia we want in the 1990s to take us asa
people into the 21st century. The Government will move
quickly to begin the implementation of the new policies for
a fourth term which were announced during the campaign in
areas ranging from economic management and economic reform
Tho social justice andi the protection of the environment.
It is the commitment of myself and my colleagues that we
will, from the first day of the new Government, set about
undertaking the hard work needed to secure an Australian
future of greater prosperity, social justice, fairness and
security.