Media Release

17 September 2001

CLEAN UP NEW ZEALAND’S
MILITARY MESS – NOW!

Ron Mark MP, New Zealand First Defence spokesman said today that the Government must move swiftly to clean up New Zealand’s military mess.

“For weeks I have been hearing stories of documents being shredded in Army General staff in order to thwart investigations into flaky Defence procurement advice and questions of an alleged political campaign being run by very senior Army Officers.

“Two weeks ago I was warned shredders were ‘running hot’. Now I hear rumours that a senior Army Officer who refused to shred documents is in trouble,” said Mr Mark.

“It is time for a full and thorough Commission of Inquiry as to what has been going on in Defence and the Minister must put spin and party protection to one side and initiate such an inquiry now.

“Surely with everything that is going on in the world today, with our close allies calling for our steadfast support and so many of our youngest and finest deployed all over the world, the last thing they need is to be forever looking over their shoulders and wondering whose side their bosses are on.

“No more dithering Minister, let’s have a fully independent Commission of Inquiry and let’s have it now,” said Mr Mark.

ENDS

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