Harry Dillon, “Lang’s flying caucus out to save a nation,”
Daily Telegraph, March 25, 1983, p. 3.

Mining magnate Lang Hancock wants to save Australia — by hiring a Jumbo jet and flying a group of former world business and political leaders around the country for two days.

During the flight the outspoken proponent of free enterprise would unveil his version of the Holy Grail — by which an Australian economic recovery could be achieved.

The message would be delivered in a yet-unwritten booklet entitled “Save Australia”.

Mr Hancock said yesterday his scheme held out more chance of success than the Federal Government’s economic summit.

“That’s just a corroboree,” he said from his Perth office yesterday.

“It is no use expecting the people who created this mess to get us out of it. My plan has a real chance of working.”

Mr Hancock said the former leaders he had in mind has already formed an informal organisation and had shown an interest in his proposal.

“I won’t name them, but they are all fellow who have recently been at the top but are now looking around for something to do,” he said.

They included former presidents of nations and heads of giant companies.

Mr Hancock said the announcement followed his return from meetings with organisers of the group in Honolulu and Singapore.

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“Hancock says he can save country,”
The Australian, March 29, 1983, p. 14.

The bulk of the Western world is in recession, but resource-rich Australia need not follow suit with economic depression, according to Mr Lang Hancock.

“There is a way out, but I’m afraid the vast army of voters who are naive enough to believe a change of government will do anything to cure Australia’s troubles will be disappointed,” he said.

“The very ones who got us into this mess are now the ones responsible for bailing us out.

“I have just returned from meetings in Honolulu and Singapore to meet people who have organised a part of immediate past principals in search of a holy grail.

“They are still useful people who have had a wealth of experience at top level, who wish to be employed for their country’s good. I have supplied the holy grail in the shape of an Australian recovery plan.

“It has been well received. I’ve asked some ex-presidents of nations and ex-heads of big commercial enterprises to persuade influential members of Reagan’s kitchen cabinet that my holy grail is worth pursuing.

“If they are prepared to come to Australia and bring the cream of the US media, I will hire a jumbo for two days and unfold my plan of how to rescue Australia from its deepening depression.

“The aim of the flight will be for the past principals and myself to convince, through actual demonstration of Australia’s latent wealth, that the holy grail is worth pursuing as a means of safeguarding our two countries.

“If the American press takes it up, it will get world coverage and influence their government. The Australian press will then automatically follow on, which means that our servants, the Australian Government, will fall in line and implement the various actions that are necessary for Australia’s recovery.”