Don Brash MP National Party Leader

05 May 2004

Don Brash welcomes Creech report

National Party Leader Don Brash has welcomed the report of the taskforce chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister Wyatt Creech as "a useful contribution to public debate on New Zealand's security arrangements."

"In essence, the taskforce proposes that New Zealand should remain committed to its legislative ban on nuclear weapons, but should express a ban on nuclear propelled ships by way of a policy decision of the Government rather than an Act of Parliament.

"That is the approach which has, for some years, been followed by Denmark. This proposal is a useful addition to the public debate on the future defence and foreign policy options for our country.

"However, New Zealand's security arrangements should not be subject to the vagaries of political fortune. These arrangements should be based on a strong public consensus, and they should not be changed lightly.

"I therefore welcome the Creech Report as a valuable contribution to public debate on this important issue. But I can assure New Zealanders that, as far as I am concerned, any change to the nuclear-free legislation would require a public mandate, either in the form of an explicit manifesto commitment prior to a general election, or a referendum," says Dr Brash.

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