I see that this Bill has been "in the mill" for some time, but I've sent emails to my MP, the privacy commissioner and the the human rights commission and just received the last, most incredibly silly, reply. Now they all say (words to the effect of) "well, this is OK with us, and the government DOES have the power to do this you know".

So I thought - as this has received very little publicity - let you know what is going on. Here's a link to an article on it (I felt it was more comprehensive than the Bill itself):

State agency spy powers 'chilling' - page 1 - National - NZ Herald News

I think it is absolutely horrifying. Maybe someone else does too, though I am flabbergasted at the number of people who hide behind the ridiculous mantra of "I've got nothing to hide, so why should I fear?". That saying has been ridiculed so many times and everybody should be so embarrassed to utter it, with a straight face too, as they always do.

have found three news items on it (and you'd think for something so draconian, it would warrant far more publicity) and it stands out to me that in all these news items the Bill is presented to us as "fait accompli". One news item mentions "have your say" but I rather gather they are really saying "you can't really do or say anything at all about this, but you may be allowed to have a say on the colour of the microphone that will be used to record your private conversations, or the colour of the man's tie who will be hacking into your computer)? Is that the case?

I feel I must point out that no "reason" is being given by anyone for any of these "powers" to be given. There has not been a "problem" mentioned that needs "solving" by "further powers to government departments". Was the Human Rights Commission given a "reason"? Or is it really a case of "a solution looking for a problem"?

I see also that the Privacy Commissioner said "the Bill needs more safeguards". Well, the thing is the Bill doesn't "need more safeguards" at all, it needs to be laughed out of existance. It is utterly hideous and about as anti-human rights as you could get.

My particular concerns are as follows:

Video surveillance - watching private activity on private property - does that enable "peeping Tom" behaviour by government employees?

Power to hack into computers remotely - I have yet to read anywhere why any government department would want, let alone be granted, this power. Do you have any idea?

However, the "biggie" is THE POWER TO STOP VEHICLES WITHOUT A WARRANT FOR A SEARCH.

The police do not even have that power at the moment. So are you OK with a lot of government departments having warrantless search powers of vehicles?

What does anyone else think?

Oh Bruce, you really have said it all. And I am with you 100%. I am frightened! Not becuase i have anything to hide, but becuase slowly all our liberties are being taken away. And everyday NZ'ers are too absorbed in their own lives to realise it.

We are heading towards a Police State, and I feel annoyed and utterly frustrated when naievely people tell me that "oh the Police wouldnt just come into your house or stop you for no reason". or "I've got nothing to hide and if it is going to help catch the P dealers, I don't mind"..... They have been completely SUCKED IN!!!

Another comment by Judith Colins on Q & A a few weeks back really got me fired up when she said that we can "trust the police" not to abuse these proposed powers???? Hmmm let me think about that .... Nathan Thorose Connolly, Shipton, Schallom, Urewera Police Raids last year. I think NOT!

Big brother is everywhere and what are supposed to do about this Bruce?
We need to band together, and at the moment I feel People likes us Bruce are too few in numbers or not aware that so many people feel as we do.

This is probably a good time to mention in plight of making a difference and in search of TRUE Democracy people should be turning out in the droves this weekend.

THE MARCH FOR DEMOCRACY 21st November
1.30pm Assemble on the corner of Queen & Fort Street, Auckland
The March For Democracy


But lets not get off the topic started by Bruce " government surveillance" (Sorry Bruce).

I think most people are scared by this sort of thing. Perhaps too scared to raise their voices about. They are afraid that it will draw attention to themselves and they will stand out in the crowd and be picked on by the police.

I have heard or seen no public response to this Bill at all, just a few sentences from a talkback host and then people called in, but to talk about the All Blacks and ignore the Bill.

There has been no media comment that I've seen.

So the government can reasonably get the impression that this silence means that everybody is in agreement with what it proposes.

About Judith Collins' "car crushing" desire. First she "mooted" it, then it was decided that "it is against basic human rights because you can't go around taking and destroying other peoples' property", now that reason seems to be forgotten.

I have also sent emails to politicians asking them why this seems to have been overridden, but had no replies. It is like "if we ignore it, the questions will go away".

But then, isn't that the way it always is?

Sorry, have to go to work now.

Be back about 1am, but I don't suppose anyone will be playing with their computer at that time.

Post anyway, if you want. I get all "hyper" at that time, so love to read things on the computer.