Hon Bill English
Opposition Finance Spokesperson

7 March 2000

Govt can't hang its F16 decision on funding allocations

"The Government can't hang its decision to cancel the F16s on allegations funding hasn't been set aside," Opposition Finance spokesperson Bill English said today.

"The previous Government allocated over $1 billion for capital expenditure over the next three years. As each new capital investment decision is made the money comes out of that provision.

"Money only goes into baselines when there is a decision to complete the purchase of new defence equipment.

"This Government is going to have to deal with the usual pressures on defence spending such as cost estimates going up and exchange rates dropping. None of this is new.

"There are no surprises in the defence budget.

"If the Government doesn't want an airforce then it should just tell the public why rather than blame the accounting system."

Ends

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