Airways Looking to Sue Defence Force

Wednesday 28 Aug 2002

ACT Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide said today that Minister Mark Burton has started the new Parliament overseeing yet another debacle of his own making.

"Mark Burton confirmed at Question Time today that crown entity Airways New Zealand is looking at legal remedies against the Defence Force for payment of the air traffic control tower, primary radar, and New Zealand's back-up air traffic control centre at Ohakea.

"In the year 2000/01, NZDF paid $9,623,594 for air traffic control and associated services. The Defence Force naturally don't want to have to pay for Skyhawk strike-level air traffic control services now they don't have a combat air wing. Also not unnaturally, Airways don't want to have to suffer the financial loss of the Government's decision to disband the air combat wing.

"Mark Burton made no proper provision for these air traffic control services when Helen Clark made the decision to disband the air combat wing.

"We now have the bizarre situation where one crown entity that Minister Burton is responsible for is looking to sue another for which he is responsible.

"Day one of the new Parliament: yet another Burton debacle," Mr Hide said.

Ends

© Scoop Media