We’re taking important steps to protect national security

Yesterday we passed into law some important legislation to counter the rapidly evolving issue of foreign terrorist fighters. The Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill passed

Good morning Alastair
Yesterday we passed into law some important legislation to counter the rapidly evolving issue of foreign terrorist fighters.

The Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill passed its third reading last night by 94-27 votes. This Bill provides us with measures that will add to the safety and security of New Zealand in the short-term.

These measures mean we are in a stronger position to deal with the rising threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters.

As I said last month New Zealand’s risk and threat profile is changing and the extremist group – Islamic State – has been successful in recruiting New Zealanders to its cause.

A more comprehensive review of our legislative settings around this issue will occur in a broader intelligence review that will begin by the middle of next year.
All of the short-term measures passed into law today will expire under a sunset clause on 1 April 2017, which reflects how long the full process of the more comprehensive review is expected to take.

Over the past few months while we have been developing and passing this legislation, I have been as open as I can be with New Zealanders about the threat, without overstating it.

I would like to reassure New Zealanders that we have been taking careful and responsible steps to protect their safety and security and will continue to do so.

Read more about it here.

Rt Hon John Key

ends

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