Big holes exposed in spy oversight

Big holes in spy oversight have been revealed by the Inspector General of Security and Intelligence (IGIS) who says that the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) has no internal audit mechanism, said the Green Party today.

The IGIS today publically released her annual report into the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB).

“The SIS still has no rules about notifying those who oversee them of illegal spying. That is a big hole in their oversight regime,” said Green Party security and intelligence spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham.

“It is astounding that after the illegal spying controversies of recent years that the SIS still have no formal procedures for dealing with illegal spying.

“The SIS can’t be trusted to audit themselves. This strengthens the case for better parliamentary oversight of the spy agencies.

“The SIS and GCSB need rigorous oversight by a proper Parliament Select Committee, as the Green Party has repeatedly called for.”

The IGIS also noted that she was not yet able to certify that either the NZSIS or GCSB have overall systems that are sound due to her short time in the role and her predecessor’s priorities to properly establish the office.

“What this shows is that the IGIS is not properly equipped to carry out her most basic functions,” said Dr Graham.

“Our spy agencies basically have a get out of jail free card for the reporting period of this annual report.

“It is well known the NZSIS and GCSB need the utmost oversight given their past indiscretions. It is very concerning that the IGIS has not been able to certify their systems as sound.”

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