Media Statement - 9 June 2005

ACT’s nuclear ships policy is MAD

Conor Roberts, President of Young Labour, responded scathingly today to the news that ACT MP Ken Shirley’s Private Members Bill, aiming to end the ban on nuclear ships visiting New Zealand, may soon be before Parliament.

If there one way to alienate young people this year he said, it was to buy a fight over New Zealand’s ‘Nuke Free’ status.

“Almost exactly 18 years ago on the 8th of June a historic bill was passed that said no to the nuclear race. Young people today were only tots then, but we feel pride in the fact we have a nuclear free New Zealand” Mr Roberts said

“Young people, in fact all New Zealanders, take great pride in the fact that our country remains ‘Nuke Free’. It doesn’t just add weight to the claim that we’re clean and green, it’s a symbol of national independence.

“By introducing this Bill, Mr Shirley is sending the very clear message, that ACT doesn’t give a toss about the very things that New Zealanders hold dear.”

Young people have a choice at this years election, a Labour led government with a proudly independent and staunch nuclear free policy, or a ’gone by lunchtime’ National/ACT disaster with all the fall out that would entail and hopefully a short half-life, Mr Roberts said.

Roberts also attacked Shirley’s claim that it was time New Zealand should ‘display some maturity’ over the issue.

“Maturity, Mr Shirley, is taking your place in the world as confident and independent nation that sticks to its principles. Not kow-towing to the US military-industrial complex – and you know it.”

ENDS

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