Richard Prosser MP
Associate Spokesperson for Defence
25 May 2012
Cuts To Defence Put New Zealand At Risk

New Zealand First says Government cuts in the Budget of up to $400 million a year from the Defence Force will increase the risk faced by frontline personnel.
Associate Defence spokesperson Richard Prosser says the world is becoming more unstable and dangerous and we should be spending more on Defence – not less.
“The Government is trying to spin the idea that the funding cut was foreshadowed in the Defence White Paper released in 2010. That paper is a whitewash.

“By the Government’s own admission it is requiring the New Zealand Defence Force to do even more with dwindling resources. That reveals their true agenda.”
Mr Prosser says the Government has based its funding decisions on the misguided belief that we face no threats and don’t need effective and balanced Defence capabilities.

“Cutting corners on support services will leave the Defence Force vulnerable when frontline forces are sent into hostile situations.”

ENDS

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