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Dunne tells Govt: Come clean on Chinese spies
Thursday, 9 June 2005
Dunne tells Govt: Come clean on Chinese spies in NZ
The Government needs to "come clean" and assure New Zealanders that China does not have a "network of spies or paid informants" operating here, United Future leader Peter Dunne said today.
"And that means this timid Government and its timid Foreign Affairs Ministry actually have to ask some questions of the Chinese, particularly in light of recent developments and allegations with our Australian neighbours," Mr Dunne said.
Tackling Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff in Parliament today, Mr Dunne suggested the Government was being remarkably coy on the whole issue "for fear of upsetting the free-trade agreement".
"The price of a free-trade agreement should not be our self-respect. We should never give up the right to ask questions about the behaviour of a foreign power in New Zealand.
"The New Zealand public will await the answers with considerable interest," Mr Dunne said.
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