The Labour Party says that the Government needs to act on a Defence Force report which calls for urgent changes in the military's approach to health and safety.
The Defence Force commissioned the report after several fatal accidents, including the drowning of Private Michael Ross during a training exercise last year.
Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says he expects significant progress on the review's recommendations over the next year.
Phil Goff. Photo: RNZ
But Labour's defence spokesperson Phil Goff told Morning Report the minister could have prevented military deaths, if he'd acted on a similar report two years ago.
Mr Goff says the military needs to nuture a culture of safety.
