Mr L R JOHNSON (HUGHES, NEW SOUTH WALES) - My question is directed to the Prime Minister. Is he aware that Mr. Askin, Leader of the Liberal Party in the New South Wales Parliament, recently contended that a conference should be called between Federal, State and local government representatives for the purpose of considering the financial crisis prevailing in respect of Australia's local government instrumentalities? Is it a fact that last November the Australian Council of Local Government Associations asked him to convene such a conference and that approximately ten months later he indicated that he was not prepared to do so? Has the right honorable gentleman changed his views on this important subject, or is he prepared to continue disregarding the plight of local government and so remain at variance with his colleague, the Liberal Party leader in New South Wales?