Does Labour want a navy without combat ships?

Labour managed to remove any combat ability from the Royal NZ Airforce in 2000. Now it seems they want to do the same with the navy!

The Post reports:

The Labour Party is open to the idea of a frigate-less Defence Force, saying it’s yet to take a position on replacing the ageing Anzac-class fleet.

Next they will be open to an Army without guns!

O’Connor said Labour hadn’t completely ruled out upgrading the frigates, though it was worth considering the technological advancements – and steep cost.

“We will have to maintain marine capability – how that is structured is for future discussions when in government.”

“Money always plays a factor but the commitment to our [Cook Strait] ferries is probably more important than the commitment to the frigates at this point in time.”

This is a staggering comment by Labour’s spokespersons. He is saying that they regard the Cook Strait ferries as more important than our navy, There are private ferry operators such as Bluebridge. But it is a core responsibility of the state to defend the country.

Labour signed off on the 2019 defence capability plan which included frigate replacements. They now seem to be walking away from what was bipartisan policy.