Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Inquiry into SIS disclosures the right decision

Inquiry into SIS disclosures the right decision

Labour MP Phil Goff says the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security has done the right thing by launching an inquiry into the disclosure of SIS documents about a meeting between himself and the agency’s former director-general.

“This inquiry is necessary for the public to be confident the SIS was not manipulated by the Government to serve its own political purposes.

“Given the seriousness of the allegations in Nicky Hager’s book Dirty Politics, it should be thorough, wide-ranging and completed urgently.

“Questions which must be answered include: whether Cameron Slater was tipped off by National to specifically request a document; why the director general saw fit to release the document immediately; and why preference was given to Cameron Slater’s request ahead of similar requests from the news media.

“Briefings to me as the then Leader of the Opposition were required to be held in confidence. The rules were that no notes were to be taken, no documents held and no one else to be present at the meeting. The long-standing convention was that I make no public comment on what was disclosed.

“John Key himself dismisses requests for comment on matters relating to the SIS with the response that he never comments on security intelligence.

“Therefore questions must also be asked about why John Key brought this case into the public arena, what communication he had directly or indirectly through Jason Ede or other staff with the Whale Oil blogger and what expectations he placed on the director general.

“Journalists and others who regularly make requests under the Official Information Act know how rare it is to receive any documents requested earlier than the statutory 20 working days allowed. What was exceptional about this case?

“These are the questions the Inspector-General will need to find answers to,” Phil Goff says.

ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.