Peters Releases MFAT Briefing On Air NZ

Thursday, 16 August 2007, 2:58 pm
Article: Kevin List

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.

Listen to Foreign Minister Winston Peters press conference

ENDS

© Scoop Media