Don Brash MP National Party Leader
05 May 2004
Don Brash welcomes Creech report
National Party Leader Don Brash has welcomed the report of the taskforce chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister Wyatt
Creech as "a useful contribution to public debate on New Zealand's security arrangements."
"In essence, the taskforce proposes that New Zealand should remain committed to its legislative ban on nuclear weapons,
but should express a ban on nuclear propelled ships by way of a policy decision of the Government rather than an Act of
Parliament.
"That is the approach which has, for some years, been followed by Denmark. This proposal is a useful addition to the
public debate on the future defence and foreign policy options for our country.
"However, New Zealand's security arrangements should not be subject to the vagaries of political fortune. These
arrangements should be based on a strong public consensus, and they should not be changed lightly.
"I therefore welcome the Creech Report as a valuable contribution to public debate on this important issue. But I can
assure New Zealanders that, as far as I am concerned, any change to the nuclear-free legislation would require a public
mandate, either in the form of an explicit manifesto commitment prior to a general election, or a referendum," says Dr
Brash.
Ends