Last week’s Raglan screening of the movie, 5TH EYE, was a timely reminder of the extent that tracking of electronic communication is undertaken on a routine basis by Government agencies.
John Lawson has done some research and found that the Intelligence and Security Bill is still going through the parliamentary process. The bill would give the agencies the legal ability to spy on New Zealanders.
The government had said it wanted full transparency and cross-party support on the changes. The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee was due to open its proceedings on the Intelligence and Security Bill at 10am on 23rd September. But just minutes after Security Intelligence Service (SIS) director Rebecca Kitteridge walked into the room, the public was informed the session was no longer open.
The controversial bill has been described as the most significant reform of the legislation governing the SIS and the Government Communications Security Bureau in the country’s history.
Submissions on the bill close on 7 October. You can make your submission on the bill here:
https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/00DBHOH_BILL69715_1/new-zealand-intelligence-and-security-bill.