Disarmament Minister Matt Robson wants to know whether the National Party still has a disarmament spokesperson or any
interest in the topic.
He says that while National's defence spokesperson Max Bradford appears to be calling for international conciliation,
disamament and peacekeeping efforts to be dumped, nothing has been heard from its disarmament spokesperson.
"A search of public statements by the National Party over the last twelve months reveals that National has not made any
comment by a disarmament spokesperson for at least a year.
"Disarmament issues are highly topical in international discussions at the moment, and New Zealand is playing an
important role.
"As recently as march, New Zealand hosted a United Nations Asia-Pacific Regional Disarmament Conference in Wellington.
"And yet National's disarmament spokesperson, if it has one, has been silent. Instead, National's rhetoric has sought to
military solutions the only response to potential international conflict.
"In Government, National appointed a Disarmament Minister. The Opposition now seems to be walking away from peaceful
conflict resolution," Matt Robson said.
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