The Prime Minister’s personal agenda to isolate New Zealand puts every family at risk, strategically and economically, ACT Trade Negotiations Spokesman Owen Jennings said today.

"Many New Zealanders will consider Helen Clark’s agenda as treason, abandoning our long-standing relationships to pursue a narrow ideology.

"The Prime Ministers assertion that there are no risks should be seen in the light of Indonesia’s ever-growing and aggressive military, an increase in the might of military forces in China and continuing instability in the Pacific.

"Every New Zealander will be asking how New Zealand can afford to isolate itself and ignore international obligations when Australia deems it important to maintain its commitment.

"This is the most dangerous and unsubtle move by this Government to date. It heralds the biggest change in our national strategy and economic policy in our history. It is unwarranted, unmeritorious and plainly stupid. There is no gain in any way for a small isolated country to pretend it can survive and grow in a state of isolation.

"The reality is that strategic policy and economic policy are inextricably linked. Helen Clark is deliberately sabotaging the efforts of our exporters whose customers need to know that we are playing our part in international security.

"The ACT party will fight these moves as strongly as it possibly can. ACT New Zealand believes New Zealand must play its part in the South Pacific in concert with Australia and the United States. We oppose free loading and the sabotaging of our exporters’ interests,” Mr Jennings said.

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