Outward security focus, inward investment focus needed

Hon Mark Mitchell talks Defence Capability Plan, National’s International Affairs Discussion Document and Iraq troop withdrawal. Defence Estate Regeneration, he writes, is progressing too slow, while Iraq withdrawal may be too soon.

Last month, National launched its International Affairs Discussion Document, covering our approach to Foreign Policy, Defence, Security, Trade and Official Development Assistance. The purpose of this document is to outline our vision for how New Zealand should be presented on the world stage and to ask for your feedback and ideas about what our policies should look like in 2020.

In a changing world, with many emerging threats, we must punch above our weight. All states, no matter how small, have a responsibility to contribute towards global peace and stability.

National is committed to offering support and assistance where required to uphold a rules-based international order. We also recognise that this cannot be achieved without a world class, fit-for-purpose, modern Defence Force.

Hon Mark Mitchell is the Opposition Spokesperson for Defence, the previous Minister of Defence, and a former Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee.

The Discussion Document affirms National’s strong belief that a core responsibility of Government is to keep New Zealanders safe and that to do so, we must ensure our Defence Force is supported with the right investment. It acknowledges the strong link between international stability and peace in our region, and reinforces that we must take an outward looking approach to international affairs.

The launch was a great success, and we have received excellent feedback on the ideas and questions posed in the Discussion Document. A big thanks to the Right Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand, Melanie Thornton and the rest of the team at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs for hosting the event.

I also want to thank the members of our expert panel - Charles Finny, Tracey Epps, Rear Admiral (Ret) John Martin and Dr Anna Powles – who contributed to the event.

I particularly enjoyed hearing RADM Martin’s valuable insights on New Zealand’s role in Defence and Intelligence. John has previously served as the Chief of Navy and was a co-creator of the Defence White Paper 2016 and Defence Capability Plan 2016 – two documents instrumental to the future of New Zealander’s Defence Force and released under the former National government.

Defence Minister Ron Mark has effectively relaunched the former National government’s Defence Capability Plan. We welcome Defence Capability Plan 2019, which reflects the work done in the previous Defence White Papers and expands the outlook of Defence Capability Plan 2016. We are pleased the Government has committed to the $20 billion capability investment plan.

We have worked tirelessly to put pressure on the Government to invest in our Defence Force, and we are happy with the result. However, we are very concerned at the lack of progress on the defence estate regeneration plan. It is on a much slower timeframe, despite being no less urgent. We will continue to put pressure on the Government to make sure estate regeneration is a priority.

The Government has also announced it will withdraw troops from Iraq by June 2020. National supports the withdrawal if our allies do, especially Australia and the United States.

Personally, I think a withdrawal in June 2020 is too soon. If we look at history, we always leave countries too quickly. We must be absolutely confident that when we withdraw troops, the Iraqis have the training, leadership and stability in place to be able to maintain security and protect the civilian population from another uprising. If we leave too quickly, this may create a power vacuum and give ISIS a chance to reorganise.

We are proud of our troops and acknowledge the outstanding difference they have made and will continue to make through to 2020.