Defence Minister’s visit test for White Paper?

Press, 5 March 1987, Page 8

Defence Minister’s visit test for White Paper?

By BRENDON BURNS in Wellington The Australian Minister of Defence, Mr Beazley, arrived in Wellington last evening for a visit which will provide a critical test for the credibility of the Government’s defence review. The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, has already had the Defence White Paper attacked by such figures as the former Defence chief, Sir Ewan Jamieson, and the retired Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr Frank Corner.

The attempt by Mr Lange to discredit these two critics rebounded on him when he claimed they were in Washington as part of an "orchestrated” response to the White Paper. Sir Ewan and Mr Corner were still in Wellington, having declined to go to Washington.

The thrust of the defence review is that to replace the co-operation of the United States New Zealand must be more self-reliant, while working closely with Australia in the South Pacific.

A leaked report from Defence officials claimed that the Australian military authorities were reluctant to provide training and exercise opportunities for New Zealand for fear of offending the American authorities.

Mr Lange, questioned about this reluctance, pointed to Mr Beazley’s visit as providing assurances of Australian cooperation. However, the Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Hayden, visited New Zealand last December and brought a blunt public warning that Australia could not replace the United States and that it was costing Australian taxpayers more for separate exercises with New Zealand.

The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Hawke, is known to be disturbed about New Zealand’s antinuclear policy, which has not made it easier for him in his battles with his own Left wing which supports a similar stance.

The reasons for Mr Lange’s confidence about Mr Beazley’s qualified endorsement of New Zealand’s defence review remain unclear, particularly as no real increase in defence spending by New Zealand is planned. Indications in the White Paper that New Zealand will buy as much of its defence equipment from Australia as possible including, if feasible, replacements for the Royal New Zealand Navy frigates, could be a key factor. Mr Beazley will hold

formal sessions with the Minister of Defence, Mr O’Flynn, and Mr Lange today as well as meeting the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Mr Gair, and other National, members of Parliament. Mr Beazley will fly to Wigram tomorrow morning to visit the 2nd/Ist Battalion, R.N.Z.1.R., and the Ready Reaction Force at Burnham Military Camp. He will ajso visit Queenstown, Te Anau and Manapouri before flying home from Christchurch on Sunday evening.