PRESS RELEASE
27 August 2012

Defence Compromises Unacceptable

In response to questions posed at a public meeting late last week Conservative Party leader Colin Craig said that compromises in respect of the funding and arming of our defence forces will cost the lives of New Zealanders.

“As a country we need to be clear on why we are deploying troops. We should only deploy when our involvement is important, can improve outcomes, and is worth the potential loss of life that we must accept will occur when deploying to dangerous locations," says Mr Craig.

“Once we have made the resolution that deployment makes sense, we then need to ensure that our personnel have the very best equipment. Not only does this improve their chances of survival, but it simply means they can be more effective,"he says.

"The rolling cut backs, and the civilianisation of the defence force, is opposed by the Conservative Party."

“While we recognise that the New Zealand defence force will never be especially large, the forces we do have should be strategically focussed, properly equipped, and well maintained," Mr Craig says.

“It’s naïve to think that downgrading our already limited military capability will produce better results. New Zealand soldiers have constantly proven themselves to be exemplary in the field of battle, and as a country we need to recognise the sacrifice of those who have died and those who have been wounded.”

"The New Zealand government needs to take it's duty of care to the soliders it has put in harms way seriously", says Mr Craig.

“There are still veterans in this country who have not been appropriately recognised or supported. These people are our team. They went because we sent them. Let’s applaud and recognise their effort, and their commitment which has been second to none".

ENDS

© Scoop Media