Hon Phil Goff Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

5 July 2005

Nuclear policy will be gone by lunchtime under Nats

Don Brash has reminded New Zealanders once again that National can't be trusted to keep the country nuclear-free, says Foreign Minister Phil Goff.

"You just can't trust Don Brash's word on this issue. A year ago he claimed there wasn't a demand for change. Then he promised National would do nothing without holding a referendum. Yesterday Dr Brash let slip that an election win would be enough of a public mandate to scrap the anti-nuclear legislation," Mr Goff said.

"Today Dr Brash's minders have forced him into another flip-flop by issuing a statement that says repealing the legislation will not be part of National's election manifesto.

"However the underlying message from Brash yesterday is clear: a vote for National is a vote for repealing the anti-nuclear legislation, despite the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders wanting our country to remain nuclear-free.

"Dr Brash has shown his duplicity before by telling a group of visiting American Congressmen one thing and then saying another thing to the New Zealand public.

"It is clear that the nuclear-free policy will be gone by lunchtime under a National-led government, and with it New Zealanders' wish to have foreign policy based on our own beliefs and values and not on the wishes of others.

"Don Brash is clearly prepared to sacrifice our independence and sovereignty by legislating against the wishes of most New Zealanders. He just doesn't have the courage to admit it before the election," Mr Goff said.

ENDS

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