PM de-claws attack on Skyhawks

By JOHN ARMSTRONG, political editor

Alliance cabinet minister Matt Robson has toned down a provocative speech calling for the scrapping of the Air Force Skyhawks after he referred a draft copy to the Prime Minister.

The Disarmament Minister's speech, widely seen as an example of Alliance "branding," had originally urged the immediate disposal of the ageing strike aircraft, which are due to be retired in 2007.

Mr Robson said the $200 million annual cost of maintaining and flying the jets could be better spent on recruiting teachers, medical professionals, police and social workers. But in the speech's final version, statements were turned into rhetorical questions.

"Are we just going to fly the Skyhawks on training missions until they eventually fall apart?" Mr Robson asked, while announcing that New Zealand will host a United Nations disarmament conference next March.

"Is our ageing air combat force a credible element in combat? Can we afford such a force at all? Do we need it?"

It is understood that Mr Robson referred his speech to Helen Clark after Foreign Affairs officials expressed misgivings about the diplomatic impact of a junior minister jumping the gun on the Skyhawks' future.

Sources also indicated that Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff had noted his concerns on an earlier draft.

It is standard practice to give Coalition colleagues warning of controversial statements as part of the "no surprises" policy, although a copy of the speech was not given to Defence Minister Mark Burton until late yesterday morning.

While acknowledging his junior status as Associate Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Robson said that as Disarmament Minister he considered arms control matters extended beyond nuclear weapons.

Even so, he had "collaborated" with Helen Clark, who had thought it better to "raise questions for the public to consider."

The Prime Minister confirmed she had given that advice.

"He had some resistance from officials to him giving it [the speech]. I said it would be better - given the Government had not made a decision - to raise some questions. It's no big deal."

Although the Government was still assessing defence spending priorities, Helen Clark said the future of the Skyhawks remained an "entirely open question" that might not be resolved this year, next year or even the year after.

Despite toning down his speech - copies of which will be eagerly sought by foreign diplomats - Mr Robson told reporters his personal view was that an air combat capability was unnecessary and it should be scrapped before next year's Budget.

He also did not rule out getting rid of other expensive military hardware, such as the two Anzac frigates, saying the largest vessel required by the Navy was a transport vessel like the Charles Upham.

Helen Clark ruled out selling the frigates.

Mr Robson's comments follow criticism from Australia about New Zealand's lack of commitment to defence and come ahead of today's release of Australia's defence white paper, which is expected to recommend a boost in spending.

A seminar of top Australian defence analysts concluded on Monday that New Zealand could give little help in defending Australia, which "finds itself surrounded by states that are either unviable [several South Pacific states and possibly East Timor], unstable [Papua New Guinea and Indonesia] or useless [New Zealand]."

But Helen Clark dismissed the findings as "absolutely ridiculous."

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