New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff says Australia's plan to boost its maritime security appears to be within international laws. There had been some concern Australia might be offending countries in the region.| And we can't have that now, can we? |
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) says there has been a misunderstanding and Australia's new zone will go to the maximum of 1,000 nautical miles, only if there is no other border or jurisdiction. The spokesman says the zone will in no way impinge on New Zealand's sovereignty or other neighbouring states. Mr Goff says he is satisfied the plan does not impinge on New Zealand's sovereignty.
Earlier another minister in the Government expressed surprise Australian officials had not told New Zealand about the move to impose a 1,000 nautical mile security zone. Mr Goff says there is no issue since all countries are bound by the law of the sea. "I imagine Australia, like New Zealand, will continue to operate under that law and not outside of it," he said. The matter will be raised at talks between the countries foreign ministers this weekend.
The Federal Opposition says the Government has made a diplomatic blunder by failing to tell New Zealand about the planned maritime security zone. Labor's defence spokesman Robert McClelland says that shows the Government rushed the announcement in an attempt to appear tough on security issues. "Essentially what the announcement was yesterday was the establishment of a reporting zone, as opposed to a patrolling zone," he said.
"As New Zealand pointed out, if it was the latter, that is there was a proposal to patrol out to 1,000 nautical miles, then the Australian Navy would be patrolling the South Island of New Zealand, which is just complete and utter rubbish." Australia rushed to brief neighbours on the plan to create the maritime zone. This afternoon, Australia's Foreign Affairs Department announced it had briefed the New Zealand High Commission in Canberra. |