Peck Mark: General Debates 
Peck Mark: General Debates 
[Volume:618;Page:13867] 
MARK PECK (Labour—Invercargill) 
: 
 What an extraordinary week it has been. On 16 June after returning from Washington Don Brash had this to say about the National Party’s nuclear policy: “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 for any change in the law.” So I thought Jeanette Fitzsimons’ question today as to where the seat of Government was likely to be was relatively astute frankly. 
Then only about 6 weeks’ ago we heard from Simon Power a man in the National Party whom we on this side of the House regard somewhat affectionately—we call him “Mr Mini-Me II”. He had this to say about New Zealand’s relationship with Australia the United States and Britain: “… without reservation we will support our close allies …” Without reservation! Well that again makes Jeanette Fizsimons’ question in the House this afternoon quite astute. 
Then I had a look at where National Party policy had come to. I could just hear Dr Brash going: “Er this is an issue where the country’s interests are not well served in having policy flipped backwards and forwards.” That was his first position in June 2004. Then he said: “Er I think the electorate expects the National Party to have quite clear policies on these issues and I don’t think we want to fudge these issues at all.” That was said on 19 June 2004. 
He had said in January 2004: “Er if the National Party was in Government today we would get rid of the nuclear propulsion session today by lunchtime even.” Then in May 2004 he said: “Er my personal views on this issue er on the task force er are that it appears to offer New Zealand a very useful way forward whereby we can maintain er an effective ban on nuclear-propelled ships visiting New Zealand while easing er the relationship with the United States and if we can pull that off er that’s my strongly preferred outcome.” Who believes any of that? It is no surprise to find that 53 percent of New Zealanders in a poll conducted by TV3 do not believe him. 
Indeed I want to give Rodney Hide credit because only today Rodney Hide said in his inimitable way: “National’s nuclear-powered ship debate has been all process and no outcome. The status quo rules.” I think Rodney Hide is somewhat disappointed. Mr Hide’s party at least has been consistent in saying it would get rid of the nuclear policy and it had Don Brash convinced. It even had “Mr Mini-Me II” convinced that that was the way to go. We have seen an incredible flip-flop on the nuclear policy by the National Party. 
But the National Party got something wrong. Don Brash goes on about that all being in the national interest. Well he spells national with a little “n”. I can tell him that what he thinks is in the national interest is certainly not in New Zealand’s interest and the public have told him that. 
We know—and Darren Hughes who was in the Chamber previously remembers quite well—the policy announcements that were made in 1975 and in 1990 and now it looks as if they will be made again in 2005. It is the “15-year tizz” that the National Party gets. National members get themselves into such a lather about a particular policy that they say they are going to do something and then they do something totally different. 
I have to tell the National Party that the sad thing is that the biggest bulk of voters now are Grey Power voters. They remember Muldoon and Bolger. They remember the policies that were promised by National and were never delivered on. Those voters will not trust National. Do members know what? Those voters have grandchildren. They talk to their grandchildren about the day that Mr Muldoon said he would give them back their superannuation. The only Prime Minister who has ever been shown to break the law in this country is Robert Muldoon—he is the only one. The case  
Fitzgerald 
 v  
Muldoon 
 is a standard case in law schools now. Those voters remember the “no ifs no buts no maybes” from Mr Bolger and they will remember Mr Brash as saying: “Er well I’m a little uncomfortable where we are at the moment.” 
The debate having concluded the motion lapsed.