Govt banks on 'benign' environment in defence review
The National Party says the Government has shown complete arrogance and disregard for the international climate with its
off the cuff rejection of key recommendations in a review of our defence needs.
"This is a huge disappointment," says the National Party Defence spokesman Simon Power.
"Here was an opportunity to improve the effectiveness of our limited defence capabilities through a review of its
structure.
"The review recommends a totally new national security and defence Governance structure, through a new Defence Act.
"But the Government has rejected this out-right and instead it has gone with a weak, do-nothing statement on
'jointness'.
"They've fobbed off the report and its findings," Mr Power says.
"The Minister's cabinet paper states that no new Defence Act is required, and that any necessary structural changes can
be made by ministerial directive.
"But he's at odds with the review author Don Hunn, who notes revision of the Defence Act would not be enough.
"I can't believe it has taken six months from the time the report was presented to the announcement of waffly decisions
with little real effect or detail," says Mr Power.