Key Should Show The Courage of NZ’s Conviction On Nuclear issue.

Labour is questioning the Prime Minister's reluctance to talk about New Zealand's nuclear free policy at President Obama's nuclear security summit, said Labour's spokesperson on Disarmament and Arms Control, Phil Twyford.

"President Obama made it clear he invited the Prime Minister to his nuclear security summit because of our country's nuclear free credentials but John Key didn't mention our nuclear-free policy once in his three page statement to the summit", said Phil Twyford.

"Why is the Prime Minister so shy about our proud nuclear free policy.

It has been reported Mr Key's only mention of New Zealand's nuclear free credentials has been in remarks aimed at a domestic audience.

"Vice President Biden said he thought New Zealand could play a "leadership role working with other countries demonstrating that the world free of nuclear weapons could be a better place.

"Does the White House have to spell it out any more clearly? Now is the time for New Zealand to step up and take an active role working with other countries to push the nuclear disarmament agenda forward. Without international pressure on the nuclear weapons states to disarm, President Obama won't get very far with his agenda.

"UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has put forward a 5-Point Plan for nuclear disarmament, which includes the proposal for a Nuclear Weapons Convention that would over time lead to the abolition of nuclear weapons.

"The Prime Minister should get serious about this issue. There is an opportunity for New Zealand to make a difference. He should grab it”, said Phil Twyford.

ENDS

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