Graffiti attack on visiting ship

"John Howard, US bootlicker" painted on side of visiting Aust navy ship in Wellington overnight

15 March 2004

The Australian navy's refuelling vessel, HMAS Success, has been targeted in a graffiti attack while anchored in Wellington Harbour.

A group calling itself Ethical Foreign Policy is Possible, or EFTPOS painted the slogan "John Howard, US bootlicker" overnight.

The Australian Defence Force says it will not be taking any action and spokesman Colonel Brian Hall says the ship is leaving Wellington this morning.

He says it is sad that people would deface the public property of a country which is a friend and ally of New Zealand.