Fraser 'is destroying govt system

Press, 29 April 1981, Page 8

Fraser 'is destroying govt system

NZPA Canberra The former Austraian Industrial Relations Minister. Andrew Peacock, told the Federal Parliament yesterday that Malcom Frasers mania for getting his own way was fracturing the Cabinet* and destroying Australia's system of government. Mr Peacock’s long-awaited resignation speech detailed the inner workings of Australia’s top decision-making body, and what he claimed was an undermining of the authority of senior Ministers. The House was silent throughout the one-hour speech as Mr Peacock spoke of Mr Fraser's “disloyalty” to Cabinet Ministers.

He said the issue at stake was how the whole system of government should operate.

"The decision to resign was the most painful decision I have been forced to make,” Mr Peacock said. Mr Peacock outlined a long-running conflict between himself and Mr Fraser rather than detailing specific issues that have arisen over the last two weeks.

“I have concluded over recent months that the Prime Minister is fracturing Cabinet government and the parliamentary system as we know it.

"Our system of government will only operate if there is a responsible rela-

tionship between the Cabinet and the Parliament." i That relationship had foundered. he said, because. "a Prime Minister increasingly centralised power around himself." Earlv in his speech Mr Peacock said his resignation was not based on rivalry or personal ambition. He had never been associated with any group that sought to overthrow the leader. He said that Ministers had not been consulted on issues affecting their portfolios and that Mr Fraser had asked certain Cabinet Ministers to leave Cabinet meetings while issues were discussed. Mr Peacock said he had been left off Cabinet committees vital to his portfolio and that Mr Fraser had changed decisions without consulting him. One prime example was the issue of derecognising the Pol Pot regime in Kampuchea, an issue over which Mr Peacock had resigned but was persuaded to stay when it was agreed the Cabinet decision would be amended. Mr Peacock said his speech had shown the Prime Minister's determination to centralise power and "satisfy a mania for getting his own wav.”

The system that had emerged was a major power structure for the Prime Minister. ■