The Budget has sadly missed an opportunity to provide a much needed boost for New Zealand defence forces and has left defence forces in a state of poor morale says Hon Peter Dunne, leader United New Zealand.

"It is bitterly disappointing that the Government has chosen to ignore the immediate need for defence funding and delayed important budgetary announcements until next year.

"This will prolong the agony for defence personnel looking for some positive direction from their Government. It can only further contribute to low morale and a directionless defence force.

"After many years of poor funding and ad-hoc decision making there was a reasonable expectation that at the very least some funding priorities would have been signalled. New Zealanders will feel woefully disappointed at the woeful lack of commitment to defence shown in this Budget," says Mr Dunne.

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