Four years late

and $40m more

THE first Anzac frigate will not be delivered to New Zealand until March 1998 four years later

than originally planned and meaning

NZ$4O million extra in refits to extend the life of the Navy’s present four veter an frigates. The ageing Waikato and the Southland are the first of New Zealand’s ships destined for the scrapyard.

But while the “unit” ship cost is about NZ$3OO million, it has been revealed that the overall Anzac project cost

including training, maintenance and

spares has boosted the price of each ship to $471 million. The “real” price with full armaments and a helicopter is estimated at more than $5OO million each. If New Zealand finally does take up its option and buy four frigates it could save $BO million.

Meanwhile, in Australia, Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary John Halfpenny, has denied allegations of im proper or dishonest actions over the fri gate deal linked to the Transfield group, a major partner of the Melbourne-based Amecon consortium which won the con tract. Transfield also issued a statement denying the accusations.

Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke told Parliament that a report of allega

tions by Halfpenny’s estranged wife,

Margaret, over the unionist’s lobbying activities in New Zealand in favour of the deal had been passed on to federal

police for investigation.

Aired under parliamentary privilege,

Margaret Halfpenny’s statement to the National Crime Authority said her hus band had travelled to New Zealand at least 10 times in the past two years to lobby for Amecon. “John argues that he is assisting the workers by giving the contract to the Williamstown [Mel bourne] dock area,” she said, “but I’m sure that John didn’t tell any one of the workers that he was representing Trans field.” □