National hints at deal with Australia to get air cover

The National Party is backing away from any commitment to rebuild the Air Force's combat capability and has indicated it might work with Australia to ensure air cover could be provided to New Zealand troops in battle.

National's deputy leader, Bill English, yesterday said National was not committed to spending money on rebuilding the Air Force's expensive strike capability following the disposal of the Skyhawks.

"What it is committed to is starting the process of working out how to get air combat cover for our troops. Once the Skyhawks go, and the people are gone, which is happening now, the task of reinstating air cover for our troops is a huge task.

"We need to think very carefully how that can be done. One of those options is to talk to the Australians about how to achieve it."

The Government announced last week that it was scrapping the Air Force's Skyhawk jet fighters, a policy National disagrees with and has called "isolationist."

Mr English, National's finance spokesman, said the party realised the complexity and expense involved in rebuilding the air combat wing.



"Our view is that our troops need air cover. We're willing to look at a range of options, including working with the Australians."

He was speaking at the Cenotaph in Wellington, where National launched a nationwide petition on defence policy.

"We're launching this petition so people have an opportunity to express their concern, and also to show the Government that an awful lot of New Zealanders see defence as a vital issue and want to be heard," Mr English said.

The petition is not designed to prompt a citizens-initiated referendum.

Mr English's comments about possible cooperation with Australia appeared to contradict a statement issued on Sunday by National's defence spokesman, Max Bradford.

Mr Bradford said: "National will not depend on other countries for core defence combat capability."

He also said National would ensure the defence force would be able to respond flexibly with "a balance of well-trained, combat-capable forces to a range of contingencies."

Mr Bradford is overseas.

- Staff reporter, NZPA