Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

National startled by PM's Iraqi confession


National startled by PM's Iraqi confession

National Party Defence spokesman Simon Power says he is staggered by the Prime Minister's admission that she knew Kiwi casualties were likely in Iraq, but still deployed them with light arms and in civilian vehicles.

"National has been saying for months that the engineers in Iraq should have been better armed and in adequately armoured vehicles," says Mr Power.

"It is entirely appropriate that our forces are helping the Iraqi people. But that does not mean the unnecessary endangerment of our troops.

"British forces recently introduced armoured Land Rovers from Northern Ireland following an incident where British soldiers had been killed in a civilian vehicle," Mr Power says.

"Unfortunately Helen Clark's Government didn't appear to take the threat as seriously.

"I know the New Zealand Army is currently trying to replace its ageing Land Rovers, but there is no reason why our forces in Iraq could not have leased or borrowed vehicles off the allied forces.

"That's what the SAS was forced to do in Afghanistan," notes Mr Power.

"The Iraq deployment also highlights the desperate need for new Light Operational Vehicles for the Army. This acquisition project has been repeatedly delayed.

"Our troops need to be properly equipped so they can do their job safely. They, and all New Zealanders, should expect nothing less," Mr Power says.


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.