Video : John Key Discusses Foreign Fighters Legislation

At a press conference held today in Wellington, Prime Minister John Key went though details of the Foreign Fighters Legislation, currently being rushed through parliament.

The Foreign Fighters Legislation would allow the government to revoke anyone’s passport and carry out 48-hour surveillance with only a retrospective warrant.

According to Key there are 30-40 people in New Zealand currently being watched in a “foreign fighters context,” and a further 30-40 under surveillance.

The Bill is currently under review by the select committee and the Labour Party have proposed several amendments, Key says he would like to see Labour support the Bill, but “if Labour won’t join, then I’ll do it anyway.”

The Bill is a matter of “national security “ said Key, and is being pushed through parliament and the select committee because it is imperative for the safety of New Zealanders.

Key said there was an “exponential increase into viewing ISIS social media and the ISIS message in New Zealand.

Formal details about a training role for the New Zealand SAS and a supporting role for the NZ Army in Iraq are still unconfirmed.

Key however did say that a training role is being considered and a small force of between 40 and 100 troops could be deployed for protecting a NZ base in Iraq.

ENDS

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