Summarised by Centrist
New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins says it’s time democracies stopped relying on the United States to underwrite global security, as Wellington ramps up its own military spending and weighs closer involvement with AUKUS.
“While we’ve been going ahead and building our welfare states and making sure we have free healthcare and education and everything else, their people have actually had to fund a lot of the defence of the democratic world,” she told ABC during a visit to Australia.
She said many Western countries had “sat back” while the US bore the cost of defending the democratic world. “So, you know, I have a certain sympathy to everyone doing a little bit more.”
New Zealand is currently considering participation in Pillar Two of the AUKUS defence pact, which involves cooperation on advanced technologies such as quantum computing and undersea drones.
While no formal offer has yet been made, Collins confirmed “a lot of work’s going on behind the scenes.” Any move would require Cabinet approval.
Asked whether AUKUS was facing uncertainty, Collins suggested expansion could bolster its credibility. “We’re looking at countries like Japan, and I think Philippines at one stage as well. Republic of Korea. So there’s all sorts of talk,” she said.
“Once we know exactly the lie of the land, that might make it easier,” Collins said.
