Intelligence & Security Committee Is Not A Select Committee Nor A Parliamentary Committe

Chief Reporter,

The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has been much in the news of late, because of its rare public hearing of submissions into the GCSB Bill.

Some media reporting has referred to the ISC as a Select Committee, as if it is just another Parliamentary Committee.

It most assuredly is not.

The ISC is a statutory Committee, a Committee of Government. Its proceeding are shrouded in secrecy - it is not bound by the Official Information Act; it doesn't have to prsent any report to Parliament, becaus eit is not subject to Parliament.

Don't take our word for it. I attach two historic letters to the Anti-Bases Campaign - one from then Prime Minister Jenny Shipley; the other from the present Prime Minister's Chief of Staff.

Murray Horton

Secretary/Organiser

Anti-Bases Campaign

Wayne Eagleson letter (JPEG)
Jenny Shipley letter (JPEG)

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