Privileges Committee To Look At Security And Privacy Issues

The Privileges Committee is to look at the treatment and release of information from parliamentary security systems.

Speaker David Carter told MPs he had received a letter concerning a matter of privilege relating to John Key’s answer to questions on the release of information from parliamentary security systems.

The complaint was not clearly laid out but did raise serious questions about how members undertook their business and how this should be protected, while balancing the need for security. There were also issues about the treatment of journalists and the protection of the ability for them to do their jobs.

There was a need to clarify the issues and the Privileges Committee should look at the matter, Carter said.

The inquiry follows the release of information about the movements of a journalist and Peter Dunne to an inquiry into leaked documents, the information was gained from the individuals’ use of their swipe card as the moved around Parliament.

The Deputy Leader of the House Anne Tolley said next week would be a two week recess. When the House resumed on the July 30 the Government would give priority to the Budget related legislation and the Resource Management Amendment Bill.

The annual report of the Armed Forces Canteen Council and the Statement on New Zealand’s Long Term Fiscal Position were tabled.

Select Committee reports were presented on the:

2013/14 Estimates for Vote State Services by the Government Administration Committee

2013/14 Estimates for Vote Sport and Recreation by the Government Administration Committee

2013/14 Estimates for Vote Finance, Fiscal Strategy Report 2013, and Budget Economic and Fiscal Update 2013 by the Finance and Expenditure Committee

2013/14 Estimates for Vote Economic Development by the Finance and Expenditure Committee

2013/14 Estimates for Vote Women's Affairs by the Government Administration Committee

2013/14 Estimates for Vote Statistics by the Government Administration Committee

2013/14 Estimates for Vote Parliamentary Service by the Government Administration Committee

2013/14 Estimates for Vote Pacific Island Affairs by the Government Administration Committee

2013/14 Estimates for Vote Office of the Clerk by the Government Administration Committee

2013/14 Estimates for Vote Ombudsmen by the Government Administration Committee

2013/14 Estimates for Vote Arts, Culture and Heritage by the Government Administration Committee

MPs began Question Time.

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