McKinnon defends absence

Press, 10 November 1988, Page 4

McKinnon defends absence

By

TONY VERDON

in London

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr McKinnon, yesterday defended his absence from New Zealand when serious health and defence issues erupted. Mr McKinnon said in London that he would be talking to his caucus colleague and flat-mate, Mr Winston Peters, as soon as he returned, about the Tauranga member of Parliament’s intervention in the Anzac frigate controversy. Mr McKinnon is the Opposition spokesman on health and defence issues, but has been in West Germany on a study trip at a time when the Government announced its health package, and when the Anzac frigate deal blew up. But Mr McKinnon said yesterday his study trip in Germany had been worth while, and he had learnt a lot by visiting potential suppliers to the Anzac frigate project, in both Australia and in Europe. Mr McKinnon said he

had predicted before leaving New Zealand that pressure would build from Australia on the frigate issue. Mr McKinnon has spent the last fortnight on a study tour in West Germany, sponsored by the West German Government. He has spent the last few days in Britain, and is convinced New Zealand has to improve its relationship if it is to take full advantage of the opportunities which will open up as a result of the trade barrier-free one European market after 1992. New Zealand had to work much harder if it was to be listened to on issues such as disarmament. “The Western Alliance now sees itself in the ascendancy in terms of disarmament, while we in New Zealand are on the outside, even though we espouse disarmament from every street corner we can.” he said. No-one was listening to New Zealand on the issue.