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The Minister of Defence Mark Burton has extended the condolences of the New Zealand government to the family of a Fijian soldier killed in a truck crash in East Timor.

The Minister of Defence Mark Burton has announced a review and two inquiries into accountabilities, operations and responsibilities within defence.

"There will be three separate but related processes," Mark Burton said.

The Minister of Defence Mark Burton has today confirmed a package of reviews and inquiries into defence operations and relationships.

"Full details will be announced following sign-off by Cabinet," Mark Burton said.

"Max Bradford, Ron Mark and Owen Jennings should stop bleating and wait for the government's announcements," Defence Minister Mark Burton said.

The Minister of Defence Mark Burton tonight informed Parliament that he has invoked his powers under the Defence Act, in response to a request from the Minister of Corrections.

The Minister of Defence Mark Burton said he is appalled that the National Party is trying to destroy the public's faith in our defence forces.

The Minister of Defence Mark Burton has confirmed that he has no role to play in funding decisions relating to the Centre for Strategic Studies.

"The Minister of Defence does not fund the Centre – as Max Bradford knows well.

Defence Minister Mark Burton said today that he commenced work 12 months ago with his officials on fixing long-standing problems within the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Force.

Your Worship the Mayor Gary Moore, Brigadier Jerry Mateparae, Honorary Colonel and colleague Hon Doug Kidd, Captain McKillop, Colonel Martin Dransfield, family members and friends……

18 August 2001Media Statement

Navy takes delivery of new helicopters

The Minister of Defence Mark Burton has welcomed the Royal New Zealand Navy's involvement in apprehending a vessel accused of illegal fishing.

"The HMNZS Manawanui located the Dong Wong 519 yesterday off the Marlborough Coast.

"Richard Prebble's vivid imagination has got away on him – he's managed to produce a media statement that is devoid of any facts whatsoever."

Defence Minister Mark Burton confirmed today that the HMNZS Charles Upham has been sold.

Defence Minister Mark Burton said today that a team of Indonesian police will arrive in New Zealand this weekend as part of their investigation into the killing of Private Leonard Manning in East Timor in July last year.

Australia's Defence Minister Peter Reith met today in Melbourne with the New Zealand Minister of Defence, the Hon Mark Burton, for the annual Defence Ministerial Talks.

The new joint operational headquarters is one of the most important defence initiatives taken under this government, the Minister of Defence Mark Burton said today.

We are here today to mark a major new direction for the New Zealand Defence Force.

The move to one joint operational headquarters is a significant shift in the way we manage military operations.

The Minister of Defence Mark Burton has welcomed the Royal New Zealand Navy's involvement in apprehending a vessel accused of illegal fishing.

"The HMNZS Manawanui located the Dong Wong 519 yesterday off the Marlborough Coast.

Defence Minister Mark Burton today released details of an investigation into the possible risk to New Zealand defence personnel from exposure to expended depleted uranium munitions (DU).

The first two of five new SH2G(NZ) Seasprite helicopters are scheduled to arrive by ship at Bledisloe Container Wharf in Auckland tomorrow morning, Defence Minister Mark Burton said today.

The Government is offering to maintain a significant military presence in East Timor until November 2002, the Defence Minister Mark Burton announced today.

A new approach to defence was one of the key policies of the Government when it was elected. This statement covers the Government's goals and priorities for defence. It provides a framework for future decisions about military capabilities, resources and funding.

New Zealand received an unplanned bonus from cancelling National's ad hoc and ill-timed decision to buy new fighter jets for the airforce, the Minister of Defence Mark Burton revealed today.

The somersault by National Party leadership aspirant Bill English over the issue of an air combat capability exposes the policy disarray inside his party, Defence Minister Mark Burton said today.