UM

MEDIA RELEASE

(File211/75)

STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE ANDREW PEACOCK, M . P . SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

The Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Andrew Peacock,

today called on the Foreign Minister to resign.

A careful examination of Senator Willesee's remarks to

the Seriate regarding the forwarding of different cables

to Hanoi and Saigon clearly reveals that Senator Willesee

had lied to the Parliament. .  .

‘'That is a strong statement but I make it deliberately"

Mr. Peacock said. .  .

Mr. Peacock referred to the followingÃ¢ÂÂ statements made

by Senator Willesee in the Senate..........

' i Â· . '

ON 9th April, 1975, Page 853. .

" I. have seen the cables. There is not one atom

Ã¢ÂÂ   of t r u t h . .

ON 9th April, 1975, Page 854. -

"I have read them before and I have read them again

this morning. The statements that have been made are

quite untrue." '  .

ON 10th April, 1975,  Page 931. ’  ......  "

"__I said last night that the Prime Minister had said

there is not one atom of truth in Mr. Peacock's

statement. Honourable Senators should stop basing

their questions on a lie."

It is now quite clear who was telling the lie.

.  .. / 2

- 2-

The principles of parliamentary democracy require a .

resignation. The principles of honesty and decency .in

Government demand a resignation. Indeed, if Senator

Willesee had any self respect left he would have already

tendered his resignation. That he has not resigned "

speaks volumes in itself. .

There can now be no doubt whatsoever that Senator

Willesee had seriously misled the ParliamentÂ·. He was

prepared to .impugn my personal integrity and honesty .

to avoid telling the truth about his Government’s advice

to North and South Vietnam.. What is more, there can .

be no claim that this was done on the spur of the moment

or before he had theÂ· complete facts at. his command.

Seemingly the Labor Government feels no compunction to

state the true facts "of matters raised in Parliament if

it considers the truth will h a m  their self-proclaimed

image. Just as importantly, they are prepared to Â·

brand members of the Opposition as liars in their attempts

co keep the truth from the people.

I can conceive of no reason that would justify the course

of a.ction' taken by the Prime Minister and Senator Willisee

in regard to the Vietnam cables. I can remember no more

blatant abuse of Parliament. .  or its procedures so .  Ã¢ÂÂ

calculated to deceive both the Parliament and the people.

1st May, 1975.

