Tariana Turia
Maori Party Co-Leader

20 August 2013

Maori Party says SOPs on GCSB Bill is just political posturing

The Maori Party will continue to oppose the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) bill on the grounds that it is clearly intrusive and lacks justification for what we believe is an extraordinary extension of powers of the GCSB.

“While other parties may wish to be seen to do something to fix up the bill and make it more palatable we will not enter into this political posturing because these proposed Supplementary Order Papers (SOPs) will make no difference,” says Maori Party Co-leader Tariana Turia.

“We are really clear – no means no – we are opposed to this bill in its entirety and to this end, we have made the decision at caucus today to oppose both the bill itself, and any amendment or notices of motion associated with it.

“The reality is that there is no guarantee under this bill that our rights as New Zealanders to freedom of expression and freedom from unreasonable search or seizure under New Zealand law will be upheld.”

“There will be many groups that will be unfairly targeted by this new law including those objecting to economic activity or protesting against government laws and legislation. Freedom of association and freedom of speech are fundamentals of any democratic society. This proposed law threatens these basic human rights, lacks transparency and gives unnecessary power to only a few people.”

ENDS

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