National embraces Labour Ships Policy

Heather Roy, National Security Spokesman Tuesday, 21 February 2006 Press Releases - Defence

National Party policy on nuclear propelled ships is now identical to Labour Party policy “ no ships, ever. In a speech today National Party Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman Murray McCully confirmed that National has embraced Labour's stance because, he says, the ban is supported by the bulk of New Zealanders said ACT National Security Spokesman Heather Roy today.

This is a complete flip-flop. The legislative ban that was to be ˜gone by lunchtime is now with us to stay according to the National Party.

Unfortunately Lockwood Smith's common sense approach to this issue has been abandoned. It is very disappointing the National Party has now removed even the pretence of leadership on this crucial security issue said Mrs Roy.

ACT is the only political party that believes our traditional allies should be able to enter New Zealand waters in nuclear propelled ships. The National party is putting the security of New Zealanders at risk by alienating our allies.

Forgotten in this whole debate is the fact that no nuclear propelled surface vessel carries nuclear weapons. This ban is completely unnecessary because no nuclear or conventionally powered foreign warship would ever visit our ports without the consent of the New Zealand Government.

"National's new no nuclear propelled ships policy - reached following a flip-flop manoeuvre - is extremely offensive to our allies. Only ACT recognises the importance of maintaining a quality working relationship with those we have fought side by side with in two World Wars in an increasingly unstable world," said Mrs Roy.

ENDS

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