I am not happy that the United States plans to spend about a trillion dollars over 30 years to rectify its nuclear shortfall. This is a reversal from President Barack Obama’s 2009 Prague speech that laid out his agenda for further nuclear disarmament, for which he was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
With its many bases, the US can launch an attack anywhere in the world within an hour.
In the 1980s, David Lange championed an anti-nuclear stance and enhanced our international reputation. New Zealand’s nuclear-free policy continues.
Yet our neighbour Australia entered into the AUKUS pact in 2021 to get support in building nuclear submarines. In response, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that Australia’s new submarines will be banned from entering our long-standing nuclear-free zone.
Under the 2021 AUKUS Defence Pact, Ardern was told that New Zealand and the United States are friends, not allies. Indeed, we are excluded.
While we await the formation of our new National-led government, I hope and trust they too will continue to support and honour New Zealand’s nuclear-free policy.
I believe in nuclear disarmament and think a nuclear weapons-free world is still achievable.
Bob Hughes
