Delays on ‘all sorts’ of matters alleged

Press, 28 January 1986, Page 1

Delays on ‘all sorts’ of matters alleged

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr McLay, alleged yesterday that Mr O’Flynn was not fit for the responsibilities of the defence portfolio.

“At a time when those officers responsible for New Zealand’s defence need support and assistance from the Government, they cannot even get a simple decision on a senior posting from their Minister,” said Mr McLay. Mr O’Flynn delayed decisions “on all sorts of matters” when he should be taking responsibility for the manpower, equipment, and morale problems facing the Armed Forces, he said. The Government should ask for a police investigation if it genuinely believed some “disloyal” military officers had leaked information to the news media.

Mr McLay said it was not acceptable for such serious allegations to be made without being tested by the police.

It was an offence under the Crimes Act for a person to leak official information that could prejudice New Zealand’s security of defence.

"The Prime Minister’s reluctance to institute such an inquiry is perhaps understandable. It is widely known around Wellington that the Ministry of Defence is having serious difficulties in dealing with its Minister,” Mr McLay said. The Secretary of Defence, Mr Denis McLean, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Sir Ewan Jamieson, said in a brief statement that constitutional requirements meant they could not respond to the Minister’s statement.

They said, however, that they would continue to perform their responsibilities to the best of their abilities.