Media statement
For immediate release
21 August 2009

Dunne Welcomes “Long Overdue” Closer Defence Co-Operation

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has welcomed the agreement between the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand to look towards the establishment of joint ANZAC defence contingent as “long overdue.”

“An ANZAC defence contingent would enable both countries to better meet their regional defence and surveillance operations through more efficient use of the defence forces’ differing strengths and capabilities.

“For example,
• we could expand our maritime surveillance capability through better use of both countries’ Orion aircraft;
• our special operations forces, like the SAS, could work much more closely together;
• our armies could combine to form a joint ANZAC battalion;
• a joint ANZAC air force could be created using Kiwi-trained pilots and Australian-owned aircraft,” he said.

Mr Dunne said it flew in the face of reality to suggest there could not be greater defence integration between Australia and New Zealand given our shared history, the ANZAC bond and closer economic relations.

“I first made this remarks as chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee in 2003, following a meeting with the equivalent committee of the Australian Federal Parliament.

“I predicted then that closer ANZAC defence integration was ‘virtually inevitable within the next five years’ – yesterday’s announcement suggests I was only a year out in my timing!” he says.

ENDS

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