Spy watchdog to investigate GCSB’s help for Groser’s campaign

Written By: - Date published: 5:01 pm, May 14th, 2015 - 13 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, john key, national, Politics, same old national - Tags: ,

emmerson-on-gwyn-report

All strength to Spy watchdog Cheryl Gwynn.  She is probably going to drop off John Key’s christmas card list for doing so but she has announced an investigation into the GCSB’s spying on friendly nations to help Tim Groser’s tilt at the top trade job.  From Stuff:

The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security has launched an inquiry into the Government Communications Security Bureau following allegations it monitored rival candidates for a top World Trade Organisation job  contested by a senior National government minister.

In a statement Thursday, Inspector General Cheryl Gwyn said her inquiry would focus on the way the GCSB considers undertaking foreign intelligence activities. The inquiry is in response to issues raised around Trade Minister Tim Groser’s bid to become WTO boss.

“I consider the issues raised about the process followed when the GCSB considers undertaking particular intelligence activity are of sufficient public importance to warrant an own motion inquiry,” Gwyn said.

“While it is unlikely that I will be able to publicly confirm or deny the specific allegations relating to this process, I can inquire more generally into how the GCSB determines, within its statutory constraints, what intelligence activity to undertake and what policies and procedures are in place to regulate its activities.”

From her press release the issues to be determined include these:

  • how the GCSB determines whether proposed foreign intelligence activity falls within its statutory functions and within New Zealand’s particular intelligence requirements;
  • whether and how the GCSB assesses the benefits and risks of the proposed activity;
  • where there may be any issue of potential or perceived political advantage, how the GCSB identifies and manages any issue that may arise from its duty of political neutrality; and
  • how the GCSB keeps the responsible Minister(s) and the Commissioner of Security Warrants informed, and ensures effective ministerial oversight, particularly where the proposed activity involves a potentially contested assessment of the international relations and well-being and/or the economic well-being of New Zealand.

A full answer to the fourth question will be most interesting.  We deserve to know what Key authorised and what he knew about events at the time.

13 comments on “Spy watchdog to investigate GCSB’s help for Groser’s campaign ”

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  1. Macro 1
    14 May 2015 at 6:00 pm

    The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security has launched an inquiry into the Government Communications Security Bureau following allegations it monitored rival candidates for a top World Trade Organisation job contested by a senior National government minister.

    And not before time! That was about as corrupt as it gets. For those who don’t understand – Politicians using government agencies to further their own career is Corruption
    Corruption: dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power,

    • AmaKiwi 1.1
      14 May 2015 at 7:27 pm

      Many thanks to Cheryl Gwynn.

      Next we need to expose spying for our so-called “economic security.”

      Whose “economic security”? In business one company’s gain is usually another company’s loss. Environmentalists are usually at the top of the spy’s hit list of economic threats to “the economy.”

      • ianmac 1.1.1
        14 May 2015 at 7:32 pm

        The catch is that she will never be allowed to tell us exactly whether or not the spying for The Groser happened. So…

      • Chooky 1.1.2
        14 May 2015 at 8:32 pm

        +100 AmaKiwi…good points! …..and many thanks to Cheryl Gwynn

      • whateva next? 1.1.3
        14 May 2015 at 9:21 pm

        Bang on AmaKiwi, and the thin end of the wedge with McCarthyism at the other. (Remember when Hon. Chris Finlayson was simply furious at the suggestion in parliament, got in a right flap about it)

      • Anno1701 1.1.4
        15 May 2015 at 11:59 am

        You should look into what the Indian Govt is doing to Greenpeace for a good example of this

    • Chooky 1.2
      14 May 2015 at 8:29 pm

      +100 Macro…corruption is getting grosser and grosser ….and love that cartoon!

  2. Penny Bright 2
    14 May 2015 at 7:35 pm

    When is the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security going to investigate the ‘out of control’, politically partisan, Office of the Prime Minister?

    Which, in my considered opinion, should have had NO direct dealings with the SIS.

    Penny Bright

    http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz

  3. One Anonymous Bloke 3
    14 May 2015 at 8:40 pm

    One more question for the inquiry:

    How much does the National Party charge Cabinet Club members for classified information?

  4. Lanthanide 4
    14 May 2015 at 10:02 pm

    How come she can’t just go digging around what they do anyway?

    Why does something need to come to the public’s attention before she gets to act and investigate?

  5. Sacha 5
    14 May 2015 at 11:46 pm

    “We deserve to know what Key authorised and what he knew about events at the time.”

    And we will not find out from this secret inquiry.

  6. Clemgeopin 6
    15 May 2015 at 12:32 am

    I am skeptical if anything will be really investigated and exposed as she has already said “While it is unlikely that I will be able to publicly confirm or deny the specific allegations relating to this process,” etc!

    So the crooked politicians will once again be unaccountable or face any consequences for their misdeeds.