Caygill to stay for caucus meeting

Press, 6 September 1989, Page 1

Caygill to stay for caucus meeting

PA Wellington The Prime Minister, Mr Palmer, has persuaded the Minister of Finance, Mr Caygill, to postpone an overseas trip to help sell the Anzac frigates deal to Labour members of Parliament at tomorrow’s caucus meeting. Mr Palmer’s move is seen as a bid to ensure the project’s smooth passage through ' the meeting after its apparent acceptance by the Cabinet on Monday. The Cabinet is believed to have approved the purchase of two Anzac frigates from Australia, with an option on two others, at between $350 million and S4OOM each. The issue faces a rough ride through the caucus and Labour’s foreign affairs and security committee, which the Government must consult under the party’s rules. Through his office, Mr Palmer said Mr Caygill was responsible for the financial aspects of the project. “In discussions with him, I expressed the view that it would be beneficial for the caucus to have a briefing from him on those matters.” He said Mr Caygill would postpone his departure overseas by two days. Mr Caygill will now leave after tomorrow’s meeting, missing the Japanese leg of his first big trip as Minister of Finance. He and the Minister of Defence, Mr Tizard, hammered out the frigates deal last week in talks with their Australian counterparts in Canberra.

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