Prime Minister John Key says NBR journalist Jock Anderson's comments that Australian soldiers were lazy bludgers and thieves are offensive and inappropriate, especially so close to Anzac Day.
Anderson made the comments during a panel discussion about a new book by an Australian author on Radio New Zealand last week, saying Australian soldiers "have been reluctant at the best of times".
"They've been essentially lazy bludgers, some of them, and excellent black marketeers, scavengers, poachers and thieves."
He said while Australians had had their moments on the battlefield "but there is no way they can hold a candle, in my opinion, to the Kiwis".
News of his comments has reached Australia and Mr Key said today that while he agreed New Zealand forces were superb in their work "denigrating the Australians as part of that analysis, I don't think, is appropriate".
