Media Release

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Binding CIR needed in NZ

“Government statements dismissing the asset sales referendum petition are arrogant and unacceptable” DSC leader Stephnie de Ruyter told an Invercargill meeting today.

“The 392,000 signatories to the petition reflect the depth of public opposition to the proposed asset sales programme. It is simply not acceptable for the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance to declare an intention to ignore the outcome should a referendum be held.

“In the face of such blatant disregard for the views of so many people, it’s not surprising that a sense of powerlessness has crept into the New Zealand psyche. In reality, New Zealand functions as a democracy on one day every three years. Between elections, ordinary New Zealanders have very little say about decisions which affect them, their families, and their communities.

“It’s just not good enough. It’s time for New Zealanders to demand that citizens initiated referenda are binding, not merely indicative, as happens in Switzerland.

“The Democrats for Social Credit Party supports a BCIR system which includes an additional parliamentary step to ensure fairness and a truly representative outcome.

“The Government’s response to any voices raised in opposition to its plans is a timely reminder that BCIR is needed here.”

ENDS

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Arguably Reassuring: Inspector-General Finds GCSB "Arguably" Legal

Of the 88 individuals:

• 15 cases involving 22 individuals did not have any information intercepted by GCSB.

• another four cases involving five individuals were the subjects of a New Zealand Security Intelligence Service warrant and the GCSB assisted in the execution of the warrants. The Inspector-General is of the view that there were arguably no breaches and the law is unclear.

• the Bureau only provided technical assistance which did not involve interception of communications, involving three of the individuals, so no breach occurred.

• the remaining cases involved the collection of metadata, and the Inspector-General formed the view that there had arguably been no breach, noting once again that the law is unclear.
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