26 September 2011
ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL
LEGAL ADVICE
CONSISTENCY WITH THE NEW ZEALAND BILL OF RIGHTS ACT 1990:
VIDEO CAMERA SURVEILLANCE (TEMPORARY MEASURES) BILL
1. We have considered whether the Video Camera Surveillance (Temporary Measures) Bill (PCO 15516/7.4) (‘the Bill’)
is consistent with the rights and freedoms affirmed in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (‘the Bill of Rights
Act’). We understand that the Bill will be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on Monday, 26 September 2011.
2. We received the current version of the Bill on 25 September 2011. In the short time available to us, we have
concluded that the Bill appears to be consistent with the rights and freedoms affirmed in the Bill of Rights Act. In
reaching that conclusion, we have paid close attention to the consistency of the Bill with the right to be secure
against unreasonable search and seizure as affirmed in s 21 of that Act. In light of the significant issues raised by
the Bill in respect of that right, we have consulted the Human Rights team of the Crown Law Office. The Crown Law Office
agrees with this advice.
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