Locke Keith: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Locke Keith: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:608;Page:5557] 
9.  
KEITH LOCKE (Green) 
 to the  
Minister of Defence 
: Is the reason for the secrecy surrounding the base for the RNZAF Orion bound for the Gulf of Oman concern that people of that unnamed State might object to elements of the maritime interdiction operation being based in their country; if not what is the reason for secrecy? 
Hon MARK BURTON (Minister of Defence) 
: 
 Non-disclosure of the destination was at the request of the host State. 
Keith Locke 
: Is the New Zealand Government colluding with the host Government in hiding the presence of the US-led maritime interdiction operation from the people of that Middle East State because opinion polls show that very few Arab people support their Governments hosting US and allied military forces? 
Hon MARK BURTON 
: I am not party and the Government is not party to the deliberations of the host State. The New Zealand Government simply agreed to respect its wishes and we regarded that as a reasonable request on its part. 
Lynne Pillay 
: When will New Zealand deploy a P3 Orion to the Gulf of Oman? 
Hon MARK BURTON 
: On Sunday. 
Simon Power 
: Since the deployment of the P3 Orion to the Gulf of Oman does the Minister still agree with the Prime Minister’s statement of 26 March 2000 that “I think we’ll find as the world becomes a more peaceful place to live in a lot of people will start looking at New Zealand and what are the capabilities you need.” and her statement of 21 March 2000 that we live in “an exceptionally benign strategic environment”; if so why? 
Hon MARK BURTON 
: As I indicated in answer to the previous supplementary question the Orion has not yet departed; it departs on Sunday. As to the balance of the question I am confident that this is an appropriate deployment. It is an appropriate contribution to the ongoing international effort against terrorism. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: A supplementary question? No ACT members have had their questions for today. 
Hon Ken Shirley 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I have been counting very carefully. I believe we have had only seven supplementary questions. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have counted eight supplementary questions. The member can check both the records concerned. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: Notwithstanding the request of the host State to remain unnamed can the Minister assure the House that the normal New Zealand command and control provisions will apply in respect of the deployment of this aircraft? 
Hon MARK BURTON 
: Yes I can give the House that assurance. 
Keith Locke 
: If New Zealand defence personnel as part of the US-led maritime interdiction operation detect and detain a suspected terrorist will that suspected terrorist be handed over to American jurisdiction knowing that that person would be unlikely to have access to a lawyer or to receive the normal legal rights under New Zealand or international law? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Interesting though that is it is far too wide of the original question. 
Keith Locke 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The original question was about the maritime interdiction operation and the involvement of New Zealand military personnel—and it is with the aim of detecting suspected terrorists. Surely what happens as a result of that work in terms of those terrorists is relevant to the original question. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Minister might be able to comment briefly. 
Hon MARK BURTON 
: I can assure the member that the P3 Orion deploying on Sunday and its crew will not directly personally detain anybody. They will be flying over the area concerned.