Labour will reinstate Minister of Disarmament

A Labour Government will prioritise helping to create a nuclear weapons-free world by reinstating the Minister of Disarmament as a Cabinet position, Labour’s Disarmament and Arms Control spokesperson Maryan Street says.

“New Zealand once led the world with our anti-nuclear stance and promotion of disarmament in international forums.

“The humanitarian consequences of any nuclear conflict are too horrific to contemplate and the international community has renewed its efforts recently to reduce nuclear weapons stockpiles and the threat of nuclear war.

“As we commemorate the anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki this week, we also reflect on how much more dangerous the world has become with nuclear weapons proliferation.

“There is now an opportunity for New Zealand to play a crucial leadership role in the international community by supporting ongoing progress towards a nuclear weapons-free world.

“Labour is committed to participating in these multilateral non-proliferation forums with vigour. That is why a Labour Government will:

Promote the United Nations Secretary General’s five point proposal for disarmament and model nuclear weapons convention.
Contribute to the UN General Assembly’s Open Ended Working Group on nuclear disarmament.
Complete all the necessary domestic procedures so New Zealand can ratify the Arms Trade Treaty signed last year.
Consult with the NGO sector to determine the priorities and efforts needed to achieve our goal.

“A Labour Government will ensure that nuclear-free Aotearoa once again takes a leadership role in nuclear disarmament and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons,” Maryan Street says.

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