Good signs—P.M.

Press, 20 October 1980, Page 1

Good signs—P.M.

PA Auckland The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) sees “good signs for National” in the Australian General Election results. Mr Muldoon said last evening that it was “generally: thought” the Liber-al-National Country Party of the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) would be beaten.

The National Party director, Mr Barry Leay, who was in Australia for the election, was “very concerned” /during the

build-up, said Mr Muldoon. Mr Muldoon said he had spoken to the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Andrew Peacock) about two weeks ago and his assessment then was that the Government would be returned with a 1: substantially reduced majority. “That, really, is what they have done,” Mr Muldoon said “It is a good sign fofe National. It means that in these times, when the bad times are being dealt with, it is still

possible to win an election.

“I would regard It as a hopeful sign as far as we are concerned, particularly in view of the latest polls, which show a major erosion of hard-core Labour support in this country.” Asked if the Australian result could tempt the New Zealand Government into making a decision on an early election, Mr Muldoon said: “Oh, if I was going to (comment) I wouldn’t announce it until after I was ready to.” He would not elaborate.