4. HEATHER ROY (Deputy Leader—ACT) Link to this
to the Minister of Defence
Is he confident that the air combat force is being maintained to a level that preserves its market value, and can he confirm that the fleet is still worth the US$110 million that was quoted in the heads of agreement announced on 12 September 2005?
Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister of Defence) Link to this
I am advised by the New Zealand Defence Force that the answer to both questions is yes. In terms of preservation, it advises that the A4s are protected primarily by a layer of black latex. That stops any moisture absorption. Secondly, the Defence Force advises there is a further layer of white latex. The sole purpose of that layer is to reflect the rays of the sun, which would otherwise be absorbed by the black layer. The white latex layer is distorted from the effect of the weather, but I am advised by the Defence Force that that has no impact to the detriment of the preservation of the aircraft.
Gerry BrownleeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I do not think that is an acceptable answer from the Minister. Right at the top of our minds is what happens if someone wants to take a test drive?
Madam SPEAKERThat is not a point of order, Mr Brownlee. Points of order that are not points of order and that are repeated create disorder.
Did the latex coating of the Skyhawks in December comply with the Royal New Zealand Air Force manual guidelines; if so, why, after just 2 months outside, are several of these latex coatings already torn, ripped, and weathered—for example, as shown on this chart here, here, and here—why is only the top half of jets covered, rather than the entire jet, as shown here; why is at least one coating visibly thinner than the rest; and why are three Skyhawks still kept indoors, with no coating at all?
Clearly, the member did not listen to the primary answer that I gave to her. Had she listened, she would know that the protective coating is the black latex—I know that members opposite get a bit excited when one talks about black latex! The outer coating is a solar reflective coating, and that coating is to stop the absorption of the sun’s rays. The fact that that layer has distorted, in no way detracts from the preservation of the aircraft. But if the member wants to be briefed by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, I am happy for her to be told directly.
Dr Wayne MappWhen will the Minister give up this pretence that there is a contract out there just ready to be fulfilled, even though it was signed before the last election; these aircraft have been put in long-term storage, and everyone knows they will eventually be sent to the gas axe?
The Opposition spokesperson on defence says he wants to cut up the planes we currently have an offer on of US$35 million. That is the A4s. If that is an example of the economics being pursued by the National Party, then people should not have confidence in it. But they should not have confidence anyway, because that member was saying 2 years ago that the scrapping of the air combat wing was a disaster, and now he says he supports it.
Is the latex coating on the Skyhawks only one-third of the recommended thickness, as set out in the Royal New Zealand Air Force manual NZAP137, to save money; and is the Minister planning to do anything about the deteriorating latex on the jets before they corrode, or will the air force be forced to spend even more of its limited operational funding in patching up his botched sale plan?
I am by no means an expert on the impact of the thickness of latex, I should assure the member. But I can tell that member that the decision taken by the New Zealand Air Force—not a political party trying to make capital out of an issue—was to provide the coating that it is adamant in its statements to me protects those aircraft better than if those aircraft were in the hangars they were previously in. And Dr Mapp knows that, because the Vice Chief of Defence Force assured him of that before the select committee. I am advised by the New Zealand Defence Force that the protection is not only adequate but better than the planes had before.
Ron MarkWould the Minister be prepared to admit that the disbanding of the Aermacchi squadron was a wrong decision, that it was possibly ideologically driven, and that the most sensible thing the Government could do now is fund the return to service of the Aermacchis; if he does agree with that, could he tell the House when that will happen?
I do not agree with the member, because there is nothing ideological about the disbandment of the Aermacchi wing. If we were not to have an air combat wing, I am told—and in fact have asked the air force to comment to me on it—that the cost of using the Aermacchis for any other purpose was not economic and far, far more expensive than better alternatives for training pilots.
I seek leave of the House to table two photographs—one of the Skyhawks with the latex peeling away, and the other to show how they should be covered.