Defence Review 2009

Speech to Commencement of Defence Review 2009 Parliament; Tuesday, April 21 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to reinforce Dr Mapp's comment that this review is well overdue.  As National Security Spokesman for ACT since 2005, I made several public statements about reviewing the way that Government conducted its primary role of protecting its citizens.  The launch of Defence Review 09 is a welcome recognition of the importance of that role.

The ACT and National Parties campaigned in the 2008 election on the promise of a Defence Review within a year of taking office.  Today's launch is a further affirmation of this Government's intent to honour its commitments.

I am well aware that there are many differing views on how New Zealand's Defence should be conducted. One of my roles, in the review process, is to ensure that those views are heard and there will be a separate launch of a comprehensive public consultation programme that will give every New Zealander the opportunity to have their say.

The history of this nation is tightly woven with its Armed Forces. All Kiwis have some connection, past or present, through families, friends and neighbours. The state of our three services reflects not just the practical requirements that we have of them now and in the future but also the respect we hold for the sacrifices of our forebears. It is appropriate, therefore, that Defence Review 09 is commencing in the week leading up to ANZAC Day - Lest We Forget.

As a small nation, we have to make smart choices about Defence. However, we must also acknowledge that it is impossible to accurately predict the future and, for far too long, defence decisions have been based on politically expedient and hardware-oriented thinking.

Defence Review 09 is focussed on capability requirements. While some of the decisions that will be taken must inevitably result in the acquisition of military platforms, this should not be the main driver of the current Government's decisions. We will seek to make choices that provide us with the agility and flexibility to respond to a range of circumstances, potentially out to 2035. This is no easy feat.

The conduct of a large-scale review, such as this, brings together some of the best minds in the field and I wish to thank Simon Murdoch, Martyn Dunne and Rob McLeod for agreeing to join the Ministerial Advisory panel.

It is because of the advantage offered by this focussed effort that I am leading three companion studies that will be progressed in parallel with Review 09. They will enable detailed examination of several important aspects of the linkages between Defence and society. These studies cover:

* New Zealand's Defence Industry, examining options for economic improvement in the sector.

* The role of the NZ Defence Force in Youth Programmes and the NZ Cadet Force.

* Voluntary National Service, including examining future options for a whole of Government strategy.

The findings of these studies will inform Defence Review 09.

In politics, it is often the case that large scale reviews are prompted by some ongoing problem. I wish to note that this is not the case in the conduct of Review 09 and record my thanks for the stewardship, through some rough seas, that has been provided by the Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae and the Secretary of Defence, Mr John McKinnon.

This announcement would not be complete without a public acknowledgement of the men and women, past and present, of the Royal New Zealand Navy, the New Zealand Army, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Ministry of Defence and the many support services and industries that have been and will continue to be the real essence of something very special - our Armed Forces. Nor should be forget the families of the men and women of the NZDF - they too serve their country by making sacrifices of their own.

"Three Services as One Force - Being the best in everything we do".