Peters Releases MFAT Briefing On Air NZ Charter Flights
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Foreign Minister Winston Peters
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For the second time in two days Foreign Minister Winston Peters held a short media conference in the NZ First Caucus
Room. The press conference was called to clarify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (MFAT) engagement with Air
NZ over the issue of Air NZ ferrying Australian troops to the Middle East and what and when MFAT knew regarding Air NZ's
troop carrying plans.
This afternoon Mr Peters pointed out mistakes had been made in what was, in his view, a near mistake-free Ministry. Mr
Peters released a briefing paper from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chief Executive Simon Murdoch which outlined Mr
Murdoch's dealings with Air NZ regarding charter flights for Australian troops to the Middle East.
After the blame for the Air NZ Australian troop charter flights fiasco had been parked well and squarely at MFAT's door
Mr Peters was asked if he would resign by TV3's Duncan Garner.
"If I knew and was responsible I would be the first person to resign, as I have done I might add twice in my career -
unlike some who I'm looking at around here who have never made any sacrifice for any public issue in their entire lives
and probably never will," exclaimed Mr Peters in reply to Mr Garner.
MFAT Briefing On Air NZ Charter For ADF Troops To Kuwait
MFAT Briefing Page One
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MFAT Briefing Page Two
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MFAT Briefing Page Three
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MFAT Briefing Page Four
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Listen to Foreign Minister Winston Peters press conference
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