Political posturing can't hide the uranium on Brash's breath

Don Brash has uranium on his breath and no amount of political posturing can hide it, says Green Co-Leader Rod Donald.

The National Party Leader said this morning that if he became Prime Minister he would have to consult the United States before deciding whether to revoke New Zealand's nuclear-free status, while at the same time backing away from his previous commitment to let Kiwis decide this fundamental issue through a referendum.

"It is clear that Dr Brash wants to end New Zealand's nuclear-free status, despite chopping and changing about how he would go about it if he ever got the chance," Mr Donald says.

"Dr Brash needs to understand that our nuclear-free status is an integral part of our sense of nationhood.

"Our reputation around the world as a reasonable, peace-loving people and as a clean and green, '100% Pure' country is largely built on being nuclear-free. It is who we are; it allows us to hold our heads up high internationally.

"Where was Don when Norm Kirk sent a frigate to Mururoa, when David Lange won the Oxford Union Debate and when the Rainbow Warrior was sunk? Can he not understand that these experiences have helped to define us as a proud and independent nation?

"It is time Dr Brash joined the mainstream, instead of trying to turn New Zealand into the 52nd state of America. Kiwis do not want to surrender our identity and foreign policy to Washington, or become a lapdog to the 51st state deputy sheriff, Australia," Mr Donald says.

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