Sir Geoffrey Palmer – New Zealand must maintain its on-the-fence position

The architect of our anti-nuclear legislation and former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer told TV One’s Q+A programme that New Zealand must maintain its on-the-fence position.

‘I am suggesting that. I think there is safety for New Zealand in that. And I really think that it is very important if you’re a small country to have some principles and to maintain them. I mean, if you go back to the anti-nuclear policy in 1987 that David Lange so carefully and beautifully promoted, it really was based on an internal democratic imperative of the New Zealand electorate.’

‘I think from New Zealand’s point of view, what the anti-nuclear policy did 30 years ago was put us on a path for an independent foreign policy. I think that independent foreign policy has served New Zealand well.’

When asked whether Donald Trump is right about trade deals, Sir Geoffrey Palmer said, ‘ I don’t think Donald Trump is right about anything.’

CORIN Nevertheless, he is tapping into that vein that you are talking about – that malaise with democracy – and he could win.

GEOFFREY He could win. And that is a very good reason for us to keep our distance. I really do believe that what is going on in the United States is going to be very important to the geo-political future of the world, but we are small players, and it behoves us to be humble

Q+A, 9-10am Sundays on TV ONE and one hour later on TV ONE plus 1. Repeated Sunday evening at 11:35pm. Streamed live at www.tvnz.co.nz

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