Former Aussie PM Suggests New Zealand Abandon Its Nuclear Free Policy

New Zealand's nuclear-free status would not permit Australia's new subs in its waters REUTERS/U.S. Navy/Handout/File Photo

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has suggested the New Zealand government abandon its 40-year-old policy of banning nuclear-powered naval vessels from visiting its ports if it seeks to join the AUKUS pact.

“I appreciate that it’s a very sensitive issue in New Zealand and it’s got quite a history,” Mr. Morrison said on Stuff’s Tova podcast when asked about the implications of rescinding the ban.

New Zealand is considering joining pillar two, of the AUKUS agreement between Australia, the United States and Britain. However, with Australia scheduled to receive three Virginia-Class nuclear submarines from the U.S. by the early 2030s, an anti-nuclear stance would not permit them in the New Zealand’s waters thereby eroding the cornerstones of the defence agreement.

New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stance has shaped the identity of its foreign policy since the 1980s, promoting itself as a staunch advocate for peace, environmental protection, and sovereignty. The origins of this stance can be traced back to the 1950s when there were concerns about nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific, in addition to the sinking of Greenpeace vessel the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland in 1985 by two covert French intelligence agents.

In response, the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act was passed into law in 1987. This legislation banned the entry of nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed ships into New Zealand waters and made it illegal to manufacture, possess, or use nuclear weapons within the country.

The stance has not been without controversy, particularly in its relationship with the U.S. In response to the policy, the U.S. suspended its ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty) obligations to New Zealand in 1986.

This week, Japan’s Prime Minister had talks with U.S. President Joe Biden over joining pillar two of AUKUS to provide artificial intelligence and develop quantum technologies for military use.

New Zealand is also believed to be considering its membership options, with Foreign Minister Winston Peters meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken this week saying that there were “powerful reasons” for New Zealand and AUKUS to “engage practically.”

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison believes New Zealand should revisit its nuclear policy. Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Nuclear Benefits vs. Defence Cooperation 

The most significant concern with nuclear-powered submarines is the potential for radiation leaks. Nuclear reactors contain radioactive materials, and a malfunction or accident could lead to the release of radiation, which poses a risk to the crew, the marine environment, and nearby populations.

They are operated by several countries worldwide, including the U.S., Russia, China, the UK, France, and India. These countries have stringent safety protocols in place to minimise risk.

Mr. Morrison believes it is time for New Zealand to revisit its nuclear policy, but in December 2023, Prime Minister Chris Luxon, while extolling the benefits of sharing AUKUS’s military technology against a “more challenging” world, said he would not be swayed from the nuclear-free status quo saying it was “non-negotiable.”

Mr. Luxon added that New Zealand considered Australia as its primary defence ally, saying the two nations will “work together as bedrock partners in the region with our Pacific Island nations partners.”

Australian Senate Referred Nuclear Prohibitions Bill for Inquiry

In October 2022, the Australian Senate referred the Environment and Other Legislation Amendment (Removing Nuclear Energy Prohibitions) Bill 2022 to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry. It believed there was no basis for lifting the legislative prohibitions on nuclear energy for civilian use based on factors like feasibility, cost and unproven technology.

Despite this, Mr. Morrison said “Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton has ”engaged in a discussion about a civil nuclear industry in Australia [and] it’s progressing in a very mature way, “before adding New Zealand should do the same.

“In the same way, we’re dealing with new and sensitive issues and in a mature way, I (have) no reason to believe why New Zealand couldn’t equally consider doing that..these things are always worth looking at,” he said.

Mr. Morrison also bought into the idea of New Zealand industry being part of the AUKUS architecture via manufacturing:

“I can very much see the opportunity for New Zealand companies to be participating in programs, to be working with Australia and UK and US partners on projects that are related to AUKUS, and not just specifically in AUKUS pillars, one or two, potentially in other areas as well,” he said.

A Joint US-New Zealand statement on April 9 that was issued by Mr. Blinken hinted at greater collaboration between the two nations:

“Our countries are closely joined, because fundamentally we reflect and we seek to advance the same basic values and ... interests. And in a challenging time and a challenging world, for the United States, there’s nothing better than having strong partners like New Zealand, ”Mr Blinken said.

“The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more challenging now than even a decade ago,” Mr. Peters said.

“It demands that we work together more urgently and concertedly.”