Aukus ‘long way’ off
NEW Zealand is ‘‘a long way’’ from making a decision about participating in Pillar 2 of Aukus, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said last night. Mr Peters spoke about the military pact between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom in an annual ‘‘scenesetter’’ at Parliament. It follows the Labour Party inviting Aukus critics to Parliament for a discussion on the arrangement and New Zealand’s possible future involvement. Mr Peters used his speech to address some of the criticism raised at this event and explain exactly where the coalition government stood on Pillar 2. He set out the timeline of government involvement, saying officials first started discussing Pillar 2 in September 2021 and ministers first got advice about potential involvement the next month.
‘‘In 2023, after almost two years of careful consideration, Labour’s prime minister, in concert with his ministers of foreign affairs and defence, sanctioned officials to begin discussions with Aukus partners about Pillar 2’s scope and architecture.
‘‘So, let’s be clear. Pillar 2 discussions were initiated by Labour, before the current coalition government was voted into office. That is why we state we are continuing a process already begun by our predecessor Labour government.’’ This was consistent with New Zealand’s nuclearfree legislation, Mr Peters said.
He told the crowd of diplomats that Aukus partners wanting New Zealand to participate in Pillar 2 was a ‘‘crucial precondition’’ to any involvement. ‘‘That precondition has not yet been met, which is why we are exploring with our traditional partners the scope of Pillar 2 and seeking a much more detailed understanding of what this involves.
‘‘Indeed, it is not yet fully clear to us what criteria Aukus partners will use when considering the participation of new countries in Pillar 2.’’
The government had to carefully examine what New Zealand might be expected to offer — and what it could take — from the pact before making any decisions.
‘‘The government is a long way from this point of being able to make such a decision. But we should emphasise that it would be utterly irresponsible for any government of any stripe to not consider whether collaborating with likeminded partners on advances in technology is in our national interest.’’
He checked Labour in the speech, accusing it of ‘‘closemindedness in opposition’’. ‘‘We are disquieted by any potential breakdown in foreign policy bipartisanship over Pillar 2. Bipartisanship in foreign policy is not a luxury for our small state, it’s a necessary condition for advancing our sovereign interests effectively, thereby keeping New Zealanders secure and prosperous. We urge them to hold their nerve.’’