Mark goes rogue over RSA funding

"Every one of us who has served, knows someone, who post-deployment, left us. I can name a number."

Defence Minister Ron Mark

Newly minted Defence and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Ron Mark threw the script out the window when he essentially promised the RSA government funding.

The NZ First deputy leader spoke to the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association (RSA) at the opening of its 101st National Council, following a speech by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

At the end of his speech, Mark said he was confident the Government would be able to provide funding to the RSA.

Mark said he reminded the prime minister that in 2007, following a discussion between Winston Peters and RSA executives at the time in a Koru Lounge, the NZ First-Labour government of the time agreed to appropriate funds to the RSA.

‘‘I understand now from my briefings, that appropriation was terminated. I did remind the prime minister of that, and I’m pretty confident that there will be discussions a little bit later on, which you might like the outcome of.’’

He also slammed recent media criticism of the military regarding high-profile cases, including the alleged involvement of the New Zealand SAS in a 2010 strike that led to six civilian deaths in Afghanistan, and the Battle of Baghak.

Mark said the military landscape had vastly changed.

‘‘I don’t recall any conflict that we’ve ever deployed to ... where the actions taken by a lance corporal ... actions taken in a nanosecond, based on what that individual is confronted with, and sees and is struggling and coming to terms with, could be pulled apart, and dissected, over the next two months, two years, 10 years.

‘‘Where other people who’ve never worn a uniform, never deployed operationally, make a judgment on that individual’s decision at that point in time.’’

Mark, who wore his medals during the appearance, also mentioned he was ‘‘hanging out’’ to visit Kiwi troops in Iraq.

NZ First, Labour and the Greens opposed the joint NZAustralia training mission at Camp Taji in Iraq.

Mark spoke at length about the need for support for contemporary veterans, especially around the issues of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental health.

‘‘Much has been said today about the issues confronting us over PTSD ... Every one of us who has served, knows someone, who post-deployment, left us. I can name a number.’’

Mark said in the United States, 22 returned service people took their own lives, every day.

‘‘If we had 22 elderly people beaten to death in their homes a day, if we had 22 children beaten to death a day, if we had 22 banks robbed a day, politicians would be screaming from the rafters, people would be demanding action. Newspapers and writers would be all over every one of us, and rightly so. But it doesn’t seem that we have the same level of concern at this point in time, for those people who are suffering.’’

Further tools and support systems were needed, he said.

‘‘We need to use those tools to help them, to do the one thing they will be most reluctant to do, and that is admit that they need help, and put their hand up and ask for it.’’

Earlier, Ardern opened the council and said she was ‘‘acutely aware’’ of the RSA’s work.

‘‘I also don’t under-estimate the continuing need for the sorts of support you provide.’’