TRANS TASMAN POLITICAL LETTER

September 10 2009
For Immediate Release

Key Says Trans Tasman First With Intelligence Services Review Story

The Trans Tasman Political Newsletter reports excitement in the media about the Govt undertaking a review of NZ’s intelligence services scaled considerable heights this week.

The buzz broke out after a Treasury official dropped a notebook in the street near Parliament, which contained some details about the review being carried out by former MFAT chief Simon Murdoch. The notebook was retrieved by a Radio NZ political journalist. Radio NZ claimed a “scoop,” and initial news reports sent competing media into a frenzy.

However John Key deflated the excitement when he told journalists the review had already been reported twice in Trans-Tasman.

The first, in the July 2 issue of the widely respected political newsletter, revealed a review of the agencies was being planned, and the second in the July 16 issue, named Murdoch as the man who would be carrying out the review.

Former state services boss Michael Wintringham who has previously been involved in reviewing the structures of individual agencies has been brought into work with Murdoch.

The task may well extend into next year, though Ministers are expecting initial reports on the national security framework next month.

Under the Labour Govt Helen Clark, who was Minister in charge of the SIS, looked at the issue of reviewing the agencies with a view to a possible merger but gave it away as too hard.

Trans Tasman thinks a merger is unlikely. This would involve legislative action (the SIS operates under its own Act), and a public debate might serve only to give oxygen to critics.

Trans Tasman notes a Department of Homeland Security could be an option, but the more likely outcome is closer operational co-ordination through the backroom. NZ’s allies maintain separate intel agencies because each looks at different aspects, and requires specialist skills.

ENDS

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