This Time Tony Abbott Does Our Minister of Defence’s Job

Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott, has again shown up the New Zealand government by revealing the likely cost of acquiring Boeing’s C17 Globemaster to be at least $1 billion.

“First can we thank Mr Abbott and the Australian people for their gift towards the new Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, the Australian memorial being dedicated today,” says Ron Mark, New Zealand First’s Defence Spokesperson.

“We can also thank the Australian Prime Minister for a solid guide on how much acquiring two C17’s would cost us. That sum is ‘at least’ $1 billion and is considerably more than the ‘at least $600 million’ given to Parliament’ Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee.

“Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Abbott confirmed two more C17s for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at a cost of about A$700 million with A$300 million needed to upgrade RAAF Amberley with additional hangars and airport aprons.

“Given Australia already operates six C17s, they enjoy maintenance, training and equipment synergies we’d need to acquire. Unless that’s outsourced to the Australians, causing more skilled job losses in defence and regional New Zealand where RNZAF maintenance is done.

“Given our ‘Minister of Defence’ recently told Fairfax that the Singaporean Air Force operates Boeing C17s, which will be news to them, it pays to use a pinch of salt when it comes to Minister Brownlee’s knowledge of things military.

“Our concern is that any blowout could displace key defence spending, like the P3 Orion and ANZAC ships project. Such a large cost may also see any RNZAF tactical airlifters to compliment the C17 reduced to possibly a brace ofAlenia C27Js as used by the RAAF.

“There’s no doubt the C17 Globemaster is a fantastic strategic airlifter, but for New Zealand, strategic lift is seemingly best by sea using the air for tactical lift,” Mr Mark said.

ENDS

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