Denis O’Rourke MP

Spokesperson for Justice

7 August 2013  

NZ First Proposes Independent Review Panel For GCSB

New Zealand First has put forward amendments to the Government Communications Security Bureau legislation to create an independent panel to oversee the GCSB’s information gathering activities.

(The changes are contained in Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) 323 into the Government Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill)

Justice spokesperson Denis O’Rourke says democratic governments must ensure the safety and security of their people but must also guarantee and protect the principles of democracy, the right to privacy and freedom of speech.

“The independent panel would be informed when an interception warrant or an access authorisation was issued and would be required to review the warrant or authorisation within 15 working days.

“It would be made up of former members of the Judiciary, Police and Defence Force to ensure knowledge of the issues but would be independent of those agencies.

“They would be trusted New Zealanders and would provide a measure of safeguard to ensure the public could have confidence and trust in the actions of the GCSB.

“Our proposal is a fair and practical solution that reconciles security with the democratic rights and civil liberties of all New Zealanders,” says Mr O’Rourke.

ENDS

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