Search and Surveillance Bill – defeated, for now.

The Justice and Electoral select committee has sent the Search and Surveillance Bill back for re-drafting noting widespread public concern. The committee has asked for a Justice Department report in advance of a re-drafted piece of legislation outlining just exactly how the law will change existing powers. A new bill is expected to be introduced sometime in July or August.

‘We are pleased that the bill has been stopped temporarily, however, our campaign will not cease until the Search and Surveillance bill is defeated. This bill has been a failure from start to finish. It was intended to clarify the law around search and surveillance, but none of the proponents can even agree on what it does or means’ said the Campaign to Stop the Search and Surveillance Bill Spokesperson Batch Hales.

‘The approach to Search and Surveillance in this country must be based first and foremost on the rights of people against the state, not the other way around.’

‘We want the powers of the police curtailed and tightened, not extended. We want the powers of the some 70 government agencies included in this bill to be removed.’

‘We want submissions on any newly re-drafted bill to be completely re-opened not limited to people who have previously submitted on the bill. A new bill deserves new submissions; it is as simple as that. Any move to restrict or limit submissions will be rejected.’

‘We strongly disagree with the Select Committee chairman Chester Burrows claim to the contrary. The Search and Surveillance bill most certainly DOES extend existing powers of police and other government agencies.’

‘First, police do not currently have any legal authority to install video cameras inside of homes, offices, churches, or other private buildings. The Search and Surveillance Bill would grant the police the power to do that.’

‘The police do not currently have any legal authority to compel people to produce documents. That power rests only with the Serious Fraud Office. The Search and Surveillance bill would extend that power to police.’

‘The police do not currently have any legal authority to compel people to answer questions down at the local police station. The Search and Surveillance Bill would extend that power to police.’

‘The state and its coercive forces are not benign. They must continually be kept in check and their powers limited at every opportunity. We have seen first hand the abuses of power by police and other government agencies. We encourage people to keep a close watch out for more developments on the bill.’

Reports from the Day of Action

Hundreds of people participated in the Day of Action against the Search and Surveillance Bill around the country. Here is some of the media coverage.

Indymedia: Members of Aotearoa Workers Solidarity Movement along with hundreds of others from various political parties to civil libertarians took part in demonstrations against the current search and surveillance bill in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in late April. More

TVNZ News: There have been protests around New Zealand at police getting extra powers to deal with organised crime. Watch the video

NZ Herald: Protesters took to the streets this afternoon to protest against the Search and Surveillance Bill. More

Radio NZ: More than 100 protesters have marched down Queen Street in central Auckland, demonstrating against the government's search and surveillance bill.More

Images from the NZ Press Association