Defence minister received no advice over nuclear comments

Defence Minister Chris Penk received no advice related to his suggestion New Zealand have a "conversation" about its nuclear-free policies.

Penk's comments in late May were quickly shut down by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

RNZ asked for any advice Penk received about the issue.

But a new Official Information Act response from the defence minister said: "I note that your request has been interpreted to be for advice that would have prompted such comments.

"Following a search of records held by Defence and my office, no information was identified as in scope of your request."

Penk had told Bloomberg at the Indo-Pacific's leading security and defence summit that a conversation could be "helpful", given Australia was slated to acquire three nuclear-powered submarines in the coming decades under the AUKUS arrangement.