Australia buys nuclear-powered subs – would NZ be concerned if we came under attack and they were defending us?

Australia’s move to strengthen  its defence capability with  five nuclear-powered attack submarines  underlines how  relatively defenceless New Zealand  is  in the  Pacific.

Kiwis  may gasp that the Labor government in Australia recognises  it must outlay $400bn on the  nuclear subs, but this ensures  that Australia is  not  exposed  to any marauding raid.

Part of the deal under the Aukus  umbrella (embracing Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States) is that Australia will regularly host US nuclear-powered submarines beginning within five years, and embedding its military personnel with the US and UK navies, as it begins the process of establishing its own industry.

US President Joe Biden has stressed that the submarines, provided under the trilateral security pact  would be “nuclear-powered, not nuclear-armed”.

ACT could tap into a rich vein of support by pushing for higher education standards and a stronger Defence force

Emerging  from  its  annual conference, the  ACT  Party’s  leadership appears to  regard itself already  as  a key element in  the  next government.

ACT leader  David  Seymour had  the  conference  cheering  as  he  spoke   of  how  ACT  would ensure in the first hundred days of the  next  government,  Labour’s  measures on Three Waters, the Māori Health Authority, the 39c tax rate, and Fair Pay Agreements  would  all be  gone,  just as ACT’s policies on 90-day trials, three strikes, oil and gas exploration and charter schools would be reinstated.

No  surprises  there.

But  ACT   will  need far  more  than  this  if  it is  to  win over  the  thousands  of   additional  votes  to make  certain  it does have  a powerful voice,  rather  than being  just   a  prop  for  National.  It will need  Cabinet  ministers  in  influential   roles.

Most of the issues highlighted by Seymour are likely to get National’s support or are changes which National already has said it will enact.  He admits getting them to repeal the Zero Carbon Act will be harder.

“We’re going to have to push very hard on that one, because they’ve committed themselves so heavily, but I think it’s worth doing,” he said.

Air Force men take top Defence jobs as decision time looms for Hercules replacement

After years of Army officers dominating leadership roles in the NZDF, it’s the turn of the air force.  Air Vice Marshal Kevin Short stepped up a rank to become Chief of Defence Force last month in place of General Tim Keating, whose surprise departure caused ripples throughout defence.

The Chief of Air Force, Air Vice Marshall Tony Davies, has become the new Vice chief.

A good idea, say those in the know, because the RNZAF will be the major beneficiaries of major defence spending.

First came the $2.346bn spend on four Boeing P-8A Poseidons plus supporting gear to replace the Orions.  Now the drums are beating for the replacement for the Hercules. Defence Minister Ron Mark expects a defence capability review by November when decisions will emerge.

Greens want to torpedo Govt’s “bigger bombs” deal

The  Labour-led coalition’s  move  to place  a $2.3bn order  for new  Poseidon anti-submarine  hunters has opened  the biggest split so  far  among the parties supporting the coalition.

Green  Party  defence  spokesperson Golriz  Ghahraman says her party  opposes the purchase  because  it  is  a  continuation  of the  old  “war-style”  obsession with  weapons.

“They’re incredibly expensive because they’ve got that war-making capability that we feel New Zealand really needs to lead the way in moving away from.”