Former Aussie PM Suggests New Zealand Abandon Its Nuclear Free Policy

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....