Gallagher Martin: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Gallagher Martin: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:618;Page:13847] 
5.  
MARTIN GALLAGHER (Labour—Hamilton West) 
 to the  
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
: Has he received any reports relating to the legislation prohibiting nuclear-powered ships visiting New Zealand? 
Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade) 
: 
 I have seen two reports. One from late yesterday suggested that a proposal to have the ban on nuclear ships removed “before lunchtime” had been abandoned by the National caucus and that at least publicly there would be no further proposals to do so—at least not before the election. The other report however is interesting. A poll by TV3 shows that 54 percent of New Zealanders do not believe that the National Party is sincere about keeping nuclear ships out. Basically New Zealanders do not believe that National can be trusted. All these reports show that this whole affair has been a shambles for the National Party and a deep embarrassment for Dr Brash personally. 
Martin Gallagher 
: Has the Minister seen any reports from New Zealand’s allies and friends expressing their views on how this issue has been handled? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: I have seen a somewhat unusual report from my Australian colleague the Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in May at the time of the New Zealand – Australian leadership dialogue. It expressed his frustration at the National Party raising expectations that there would be changes to the legislation but unlike Labour not having the courage of its convictions to carry them through. I have not seen any reports on whether Dr Brash in his recent meetings with Mr Downer or Mr Armitage privately promised that the ban would be removed “before lunchtime” or said it might now take a little bit longer to do that. 
Dail Jones 
: Has the Minister read any reports confirming that any changes to legislation prohibiting nuclear-powered warships from visiting New Zealand and other major constitutional changes should be decided by referendum as required by current New Zealand First policy; if so from whom? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: It has been suggested by the National Party that it would decide this issue by a referendum at an appropriate time and of course after particular manipulation of public opinion—and certainly after the election. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Has the Minister received any proposals from the Leader of the Opposition to move the New Zealand seat of Government closer to Washington DC in order more easily to assess United States’ reactions to New Zealand policy proposals? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The Minister has no responsibility there. 
Hon Dr Michael Cullen 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The question asked whether the Minister had received any proposals from the Leader of the Opposition. Surely it must be the Minister’s responsibility to consider whether he has received such a proposal. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: No he is not responsible for the seat of Government. 
Hon Ken Shirley 
: Is he opposed to holding a referendum to gauge the level of support in New Zealand for dropping the ban on nuclear propulsion; if so can he envisage any circumstances in which this ban might be dropped? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: The referendum that determined this Government’s policy was the last election when it made an unequivocal statement that it supported the continuation of the ban on nuclear ships. Not only did we do that but since 1987 polls have consistently shown that two-thirds of New Zealanders are opposed to nuclear-propelled ships—that they are two to one in favour of keeping New Zealand nuclear-free. There is no doubt that this Government will do that; there is every doubt about what the National Party lacking any conviction on this issue might do if it got the chance. 
Hon Ken Shirley 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The Standing Orders are very clear that Ministers’ replies must be succinct. All that the Minister had to say in answer to my question was “No”. Instead he prattled on for about 30 seconds in effect clearly saying “No” but he was not prepared actually to get up answer the question and say that no he was not prepared to have a referendum. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: If I were actually able to suggest to questioners and answerers that they keep their questions and answers succinct question time would be over in about 20 minutes. I do like answers to be succinct but I think members who ask long questions will get long answers and the member’s question was quite a long one. 
Hon Peter Dunne 
: Has the Minister received any advice from any official of the current or prior United States administrations that repeal of New Zealand’s antinuclear legislation is a precondition for any form of improved relationship with the United States on the economic front? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: Most certainly I have received no advice from any American official that changing our nuclear policy which is surely a matter for us as an independent and sovereign country is a prerequisite for any changes in trade policy or any other policy the United States might pursue in our regard. 
Georgina Beyer 
: Have any recent events given the Minister cause to reconsider the Government’s policy on nuclear ships notwithstanding what he mentioned in a previous answer? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: No. To the contrary this Government has taken a firm principled and consistent position with regard to the nuclear ban and is backed overwhelmingly by New Zealanders for so doing. To prevaricate to be indecisive to be lacking in conviction and to try to have a bob each way is incredibly damaging to any party which is why the National caucus told Don Brash yesterday to pull his head in and to say he would not change the policy. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The last part of that answer is supposition and should not have been part of the answer. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I seek leave of the House to table statements made by the Minister for Trade Negotiations Jim Sutton that New Zealand needed to revisit its nuclear-free policy. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that. Is there any objection? There is. 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: I seek leave to table a quote from Don Brash that states: “The likelihood is that if we put a proposal to the Americans which they find acceptable and that of course would be after we became Government we would then seek a referendum.” 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.