John Carter National Party Defence Spokesman

28 July 2005

Labour's treatment of Air Force a disgrace

National Party Defence spokesman John Carter says Labour's record on defence continues to be a disgrace.

He is commenting on the breakdown today of an Air Force Boeing 757, which had to return to Auckland after developing engine trouble during a flight to Darwin, prompting a full-scale emergency. It had 20 personnel on board.

It is the eighth time this year that an Air Force aircraft has broken down.

"This is embarrassing for the country and, more importantly, for our service people," says Mr Carter. "When is it going to end?

"It is absolutely disgraceful that Labour has let our international reputation plunge this low.

"This is another example of Labour's poor administration of defence, and another example of why we must get rid of people who show scant regard for our defence and the safety of our service people

"Helen Clark expects the men and women of our armed forces to be loyal but she has shown no loyalty back," Mr Carter says.

"It's no wonder we continue to lose service people when they are treated like this," Mr Carter says.

ENDS

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