THE HON. JOHN BUTTON
MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY,
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE

Senator Button, how do you think things are going?

Look, let me make it clear—I’m prepared to answer questions that relate directly to the portfolio of Industry, but I’m not going to be drawn into any general speculative comment. I tried that last time and we haven’t been able to use the fan for nearly a fortnight.

Is the Car Plan going to be affected by the Ford recall?

No. As I understand it they are only recalling a very small number of vehicles.

How small?

About seventy thousand.

A small number of seventy thousand?

Very small number of about seventy thousand vehicles, for some very minor modifications, as I understand it.

What was the fault?

It wasn’t a fault. ‘Fault’ is the wrong word—please stop using it. It is not a fault, it’s a very minor modification in certain models.

What is it?

Something to do with the steering. It’s a technical thing.

Where is the steering wheel?

It’s in the boot, but only in certain models.

What about the imported ones?

The imported models are fine. Go ahead.

On another subject, were you consulted about the twenty per cent foreign ownership ceiling for TV?

No. I wasn’t, but I’ve got great faith in the minister, Kerry Beazley. Kerry’s done his homework very well and, frankly, I think he’s made the right decision. We need to decide in this country whether we want our television to be dominated by foreigners.

What was the alternative?

Well, you can read a newspaper dominated by foreigners.

Radio?

Yes. Listen to that—dominated by foreigners.

Minister, can I ask you your opinion of the recent performance of the Treasurer, Mr Keating?

No. You can’t. I’m not going to speak about that at all. I’ve made that perfectly plain. How clear do you want it to be? I’m not going to say anything.

Senator Button, with respect, you must have a view.

I’m not going to tell you my view. I’m going to keep my view to…

Senator Button, you are the third highest minister in the country.

You can’t very well pretend not to have a view about the current macroeconomic climate.

I’m not going to say anything.

Can you give us some indication of it?

(Senator Button holds up three fingers.)

Three words.

(Senator Button holds up two fingers.)

Second word…

(Senator Button flaps his elbows.)

Er…hen…

(Indicates rooster’s comb.)

Male hen…rooster.

(Points up.)

Rooster…rooster up…up rooster…rooster-up.

(Holds up one finger.)

First word…

(Makes circle with hands.)

Whole…entire…complete.

(Indicates correct.)

Complete rooster-up. Complete rooster-up! Good grief—I’ll give you another go. (Hands indicate movement of clock.)

Er…er…clock.

(Pulls ear.)

Sounds like clock. Cock! Complete rooster cock.

Complete rooster cock!

(Gives up in disgust, looks away.) Next!