Not only will we think better of ourselves, but so too will others think well of us. That is the climate likely to lead to more positive outcomes in our foreign, trade, and economic relationships. There is plenty of evidence that the Government s announcements this week on defence will poison our relationships abroad, in particular Australia. We cannot afford to take any risk of the phone being switched off. The isolationist stance of the Labour-Alliance Government and the Greens will lead to tears over the next few years.
National supporters are prepared to play, and pay for, their part in the world.
We will not bludge off others. Against this background, National has adopted six principles as we plan our policies for the next election. National s Six Principles Shaping Defence Policy National will ensure the New Zealand Defence Force is capable of reacting to threats to New Zealand s shores and to New Zealand s wider interests and responsibilities. Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore. National s defence policy will be formed on the principle of inter-dependence, not isolationism.