Written By:
KJT - Date published:
4:49 pm, August 30th, 2016 - 16 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, you couldn't make this shit up -
Tags:
No Right Turn has reminded me that the deadline for submissions on the Spy bill is 7th October 2016.
Submissions. can be made here.
The spy bill.
The bill makes it illegal for civil servants, or anyone else, to blow the whistle on the Government.
It makes it legal for spies to break laws at will, commit crimes while spying and bypass protections against surveillance of New Zealand citizens.
And then makes it illegal for anyone to tell anyone else that spies are breaking the law.
Do Labour support this bill? If so, why?
Gordon Campbell says yes (I seem to remember Little saying there were issues with the Bill that would need to be resolved before they supported it).
http://werewolf.co.nz/2016/08/gordon-campbell-on-the-new-legislation-for-the-spy-agencies/
The Mp appear to be saying that they’re ok with the Bill as long as it doesn’t discriminate against Māori,
http://www.maoriparty.org/m_ori_party_cautiously_support_nz_intelligence_and_security_bill_to_first_reading
Greens are opposed,
https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/green-party-oppose-invasive-new-spy-legislation
As are UF,
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11696675
NZF support it.
Labour should not support it. But I think they are. A disappointing decision. The downside of NZ First is that they are too willing to give spies a no questions asked, get out of jail free card. Giving spies cart blanche is not a good idea. Like everyone else they need to be accountable to the public – the transcripts show that our spies are sexist, racist liars who are thinking of a reality TV show, not some James Bond types that maybe the government think they are.
Peter Dunne says he doesn’t support it but will.
“Little saying there were issues with the Bill that would need to be resolved before they supported it”
Better balance needed in Intelligence Bill
“There are concerns in the Bill that Labour wants to see addressed. The definition of National Security must be amended at Select Committee following a national debate. At present the definition is too broad and must be narrowed down to actual threats to security and government.
“It is also concerning that the legislation appears to have ignored a number of the protections for personal information suggested by the Cullen Reddy Review. These are vital and must be a part of the legislation. In today’s world it is too easy to ignore privacy concerns and we have seen what happens in the past when protections aren’t clear.
<a href="http://www.labour.org.nz/better_balance_needed_in_intelligence_bill
Andrew Little also wants the inclusion of the Greens and NZ First on the committee.
Andrew Little wants John Key gone as chair of the committee scrutinising spy agencies
<a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/83214309/Andrew-Little-wants-John-Key-gone-as-chair-of-the-committee-scrutinising-spy-agencies
Sad indictment on the state of the left in New Zealand when we have to ask that question. It wasn’t that long ago when we didn’t have to.
*spies.
Is “I was just following National Party orders” a legitimate defence against charges of human rights abuse?
Discuss.
lol
Chair for a day?
If it’s legal for spies to break the law, they wouldn’t be breaking the law, but I think I get your sentiment…
Other questions to be asked of spies and Spying is, if they do break the law, will they be found out, and be held to account in a court of law?
yes they do – and no they aren’t
Yes they do
https://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/john-key-lied-about-gcsb-circumventing.html
– and no they aren’t
https://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2015/11/the-sis-is-unfit-for-purpose.html
Yes they do
and No they arn’t
Another blow to the freedom of information, truth , justice and democracy and a major victory for suppression , illegal activity in the name of government, lack of accountability and creating the perfect environment for corruption and fear to flourish.
All achieved by an ELECTED government against the interests of New Zealanders who want transparency and the truth of their ELECTED representatives.
Shame on all of us for not protesting this outrage , we deserve everything we get from Key and the rest who support this bill.
This is as unjust as the TPPA and not one dissenting voice to be heard.
Apart from the national party I would like to know what threat that we face that requires the ability of a section of the govt to need to break the law to operate? I can’t think of a single threat that we face that is anywhere as dangerous as the policies that have been put forward by the current govt. Surely they can be countered by the legal means available to the spy dept? I can understand the fact that the danger is imminent from national but this goes to far.We are not the USA, hellbent on locking up whistle blowers for thirty years at a time.
Its not only break the law, but the ability to create fake personal identities and fake businesses.
What could go wrong ?