Fed: Howard says federation celebrations are reasonable

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2001
Fed: Howard says federation celebrations are reasonable

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has defended the centenary celebrations planned for Melbourne
and says the $3 million cost is reasonable.

Australia's 828 federal and state MPs will be in Melbourne early next month to commemorate
the 100th anniversary of the first sitting of federal parliament.

Mr HOWARD has told ABC radio the celebrations are a bipartisan event and the costs
are reasonable.

He says the the centenary of federation is only celebrated once in 100 years.

Mr HOWARD says spending money on a historical commemoration can always be criticised.

But he says it's a question of what is reasonable, adding the celebrations for the
occasion are reasonable.

AAP RTV jg/jtb

KEYWORD: SITTING HOWARD (CANBERRA)

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