Defence 'begins at home' says expert

A defence expert and former politician says New Zealand and Australia should focus on regional security issues to break the "existing impasse" over defence policy.

Derek Quigley said yesterday that both countries' maintenance of their defence policies would result in "further drifting apart as Australia gives up on New Zealand and concentrates on its own defence requirements and those generated by its alliance with the United States."

The former foreign affairs and defence select committee chairman said a move to a regional security focus might result in the two countries concentrating on what they did best, rather that trying to cover every role.

"Longer term, it might lead to a truly multi-national formation."

Mr Quigley, whose Defence Beyond 2000 report was part of the basis of the Government's defence policy, said this sort of approach would benefit Australia, "because it needs an active, relevant, competent and involved New Zealand defence force much more that it is probably prepared to admit."

The former ACT MP said a regional security conference would be a good starting point.

- NZPA