John Carter National Defence Spokesman
12 July 2004
Orion upgrade - better late than never
National's Defence spokesman John Carter says he would like to 'congratulate' Defence Minister Mark Burton for at long
last making an announcement regarding the Orion upgrade.
"But to have taken more than five years to have only reached the contract negotiation stage is an indictment on Mr
Burton's leadership.
"And this leadership failure is an embarrassment to the professionalism of our defence force.
"The Orion upgrade is essential if the defence force is to effectively carry out its duties, both here and abroad.
"New Zealand's credibility amongst its traditional allies has slipped under Labour and to only be starting negotiations
at this late stage does nothing to restore it," says Mr Carter.
Ends