Can NZ deal with terrorist attacks
How well resourced is NZ to deal with a terrorist attack
National Party Leader Bill English wants an assurance from the Government that New Zealand is well placed to deal with any threats or attacks from terrorists.
“The first responsibility from any Government is to protect its own citizens and with the way this Government has run down defence, I have little confidence that New Zealanders can feel that protection is available,” says Mr English.
“The recent bombings in Bali show that terrorism now exists right here in our backyard.
“New Zealand has and must continue to give support to our closest allies in the war against terrorism. In addition we must not forget to protect our own people in our own country.
“This Labour Government has relied on Australia to have a strong defence force while they dismantle and run down our own defence resources and that is just not good enough,” says Mr English.