Changes to Countering Terrorism Bill Don’t Go Far Enough

The Māori Party will oppose the Countering Terrorism Bill when it’s presented to Parliament under urgency next week.

“While we are pleased that the National Party will reduce the warrantless search period to 24 hours and curtail some of the powers proposed in the bill, we don’t believe a warrantless search can be justified under any circumstances,” says Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

The Māori Party supported the first reading of the bill to allow the issues to be debated. It recognises New Zealand needs to address the evolving threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters but this should be balanced against the civil liberties of innocent citizens.

“Our constituents have clearly told us they that don’t trust the authorities with such extraordinary powers. They are particularly concerned about the warrantless searches and the ability of the State to cancel people’s passports,” says Mr Flavell.

The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee reported back to Parliament on the bill yesterday, following a call for urgent public submissions which ran over four days. It recommended reducing the 48 hour surveillance period to 24 and reducing the length of time the State can cancel a passport from three years to one.

“Ideally the National Party would withdraw the provision for warrantless searches altogether,” says Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox.

“Our people have legitimate fears that with the structural discrimination that exists within our justice and law enforcement agencies they will be unjustly targeted,” says Mrs Fox.

ENDS.

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