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Q’land Premier hits back

NZPA Canberra The Queensland Premier, Mr Joh Bjelke-Petersen, yesterday hit back at Federal Labour Government claims that political thuggery, blackmail and intimidation were being used by officials from his government to influence the vote of Aboriginals and islanders in tomorrow’s election.

The Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Mr Clyde Holding, first raised the matter in Parliament and then repeated the claims again on the “Nine Network” yesterday. Mr Bjelke-Petersen, appearing on the same programme, accused Mr Holding of denigrating Queensland’s Aboriginals by saying they could be intimidated. “He is talking down to them as if he is some great father who will look after and care for them,” he said. “He fails to recognise that these people are equal to the rest of us in the community. They are very intelligent people; I was their Minister for many years and I have visited them very many times and what Mr Holding is doing is trying to drum up support.” Mr Holding said yesterday that he would go ahead with his plan to refer civil rights violations by the state department of Aboriginal and islander advancement to the Human Rights Commissioner for investigation.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19831021.2.66.9

Bibliographic details

Press, 21 October 1983, Page 6

Word Count
195

Q’land Premier hits back Press, 21 October 1983, Page 6

Q’land Premier hits back Press, 21 October 1983, Page 6