Locke Keith: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Locke Keith: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:645;Page:14469] 
5.  
KEITH LOCKE (Green) 
 to the  
Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control 
: Does he stand by his statement that this week’s conference on cluster bombs will make an “important contribution to achieving an ambitious vision of a ban on cluster munitions”; if so is he confident that all Government policy supports this goal? 
Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control) 
: 
 Yes. The Oslo process of which New Zealand was one of the seven initiating countries has made substantial progress towards a treaty banning cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. This is really important because the Geneva process over the last 5 years has got exactly nowhere on that same issue. The member will be aware—as indeed will other members—from last night’s parliamentary function of the wide acknowledgment and praise that New Zealand has been accorded for the leading and positive role that it has played a view that I understand the Green Party shares. 
Keith Locke 
: At the Wellington conference—which I fully congratulate the Government on hosting—is the Government calling for a complete ban on cluster munitions without exceptions; if so what steps is it taking to counter those countries like Australia Britain and Canada that are pushing for exceptions to be listed in the Wellington declaration coming out of the conference? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: New Zealand is supporting the Oslo declaration which talks about banning all cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. In that respect we are working through a process with 121 other countries to try to find common ground around the strongest possible ban that can be put in place. I welcome the fact that more than half of those countries that have or manufacture cluster munitions and a very large percentage of those countries in which cluster munitions have been used are attending the conference. The purpose of this conference is to make sufficient progress so that in Dublin in May we will get a treaty where a ban will be imposed along the line set out initially in the Oslo declaration. 
Martin Gallagher 
: Can the Minister further clarify the precise position that our Government has taken on cluster munitions with specific regard to its Defence Force and foreign policy consistent with its very strong stance I understand within the Oslo process? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: The New Zealand Government has stated unequivocally that New Zealand will not acquire does not possess and does not and will not use cluster munitions. That is an absolute declaration and that statement received wide support last night from other parliamentarians from around the world. In addition to that I think most New Zealanders are aware of the proud tradition of the New Zealand Defence Force in clearing munitions and landmines in countries in diverse as Laos Cambodia Angola Mozambique Afghanistan and Lebanon. In addition I acknowledge the role played by NZAID in giving very good support to those survivors of cluster munitions—particularly in Cambodia where I have seen the work it has done with children in providing prosthetic support. That is really important. 
Keith Locke 
: Does the Minister sometimes feel his very good work on this issue is being undermined by some parts of the Government continuing to invest taxpayers’ money in corporations that manufacture cluster bombs—such as the New Zealand Superannuation Fund which invests $22 million in the cluster bomb manufacturer Lockheed Martin? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: The member is very aware that this House passed—and I think most parties supported—legislation for the fact that the Government is not able to specifically direct the investments by the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. However the board does work under a statutory mandate and that mandate is to avoid prejudicing New Zealand’s reputation. I think a really positive spin-off from the Oslo process and this Wellington conference is the announcement made by the guardians of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund that they are following this process very closely. They are reviewing investments in companies some of which may be involved with cluster munitions. I believe that with the passage of this treaty a decision will be made in line with responsible investment and I note that the Superannuation Fund is one of the founding signatories to the UN in that area. 
Keith Locke 
: What practical steps is the Government taking to address the interoperability issue which is one of the most challenging issues being addressed at the current conference so that New Zealand troops in Afghanistan are not being defended by cluster bombs possessed by their coalition partners? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: Interoperability is certainly an issue that is being discussed at the conference. It is particularly important given the very high percentage of NATO countries attending that conference. I welcome the fact that every one of the countries attending the conference is there—notwithstanding the fact that they may have a slightly different view from the countries that started off this process. In terms of interoperability it is true that the United States has cluster munitions and that it is in Afghanistan. I would certainly not in any way suggest that New Zealand’s peacekeeping forces which are doing such a fantastic job in Bamian should be withdrawn because of that fact. I will give a little bit of advertising. Governor Sarabi from the Bamian Province will be in New Zealand next week. I am sure she will speak out about the really good work the New Zealand Defence Force is doing in her province.