New Zealand left off the map as John Key fails at Summit

The absence of New Zealand from a world map that formed the backdrop for a leaders’ photocall at The Hague Nuclear Security Summit pretty much nails John Key’s contribution to disarmament, Labour’s Disarmament spokesperson Maryan Street says.

“The Prime Minister had a huge opportunity to contribute something significant to the growing nuclear weapons abolition agenda, but he walked away with nothing more than platitudes as New Zealand’s contribution.

“Lobbying for a place on the United Nations Security Council is business as usual for international meetings. Getting a long-discussed trade arrangement with the European Union to do a scoping study is something officials were achieving without the Prime Minister’s assistance. Giving a $300,000 pledge to help African nations detect and dispose of fissile material is a good thing to do, albeit limited.

“It takes courage to push the international agenda to go further.

“John Key has been given great chances. Unfortunately he is frequently a huge disappointment.

“Let’s see the agreed radiation safety legislation introduced to the New Zealand Parliament with some urgency.

“We can get New Zealand back on the map of nuclear disarmament, with energy and commitment,” Maryan Street says.

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