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New Zealand PM Rejects Idea About Joint Defense with Australia
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has rejected suggestions New Zealand combine its defense forces with those of Australia, the Evening Post reported November 27.
Australian Senator Sandy Macdonald made the suggestions at a seminar on defense at the weekend, saying the two forces of Australia and New Zealand are already joined for practical exercises but without any planning or formal acknowledgment, the Wellington-based newspaper said.
Macdonald, chairman of Australia's senate committee on foreign affairs, defense and trade legislation, said a joint force is an idea for politicians to debate. Practically, it could begin with top personnel from both forces meeting and the formation of a joint defense forces headquarters, he added at the seminar, which was organized by the New Zealand National Party, the major opposition party in the country.
Commenting on the suggestions, Prime Minister Clark said it is "a bit rich" for National to discuss now a joint defense force when it has until now been pushing for a fully integrated force which includes combat troops, frigates and fighter aircraft.
"Then they say put it into an Australian force. They'd better work out what their line is," she added.
She said the New Zealand government has never accepted the idea of a single strategic entity with Australia.
"Australia is a medium-sized power while New Zealand is a small power. New Zealand defense interests focus on the Pacific while Australia also looks north and to the Indian Ocean," the prime minister said.
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