Govt welcomes passing of Intelligence and Security Bill

The Government is welcoming the passing of the third reading of an Intelligence and Security Bill this week.

The legislation updates the legislative framework and increases the transparency of the intelligence and security agencies.

According to National Security and Intelligence Minister Bill English, gour Acts have been consolidated into a single comprehensive piece of legislation, which clearly sets out the agencies' powers, establishes a new warranting framework and builds on the robust oversight and accountability of the agencies.

"It is crucial our agencies operate within a legal framework which maintains both the security and the rights of New Zealanders," English says.

"This legislation ensures that the agencies remain effective against complex security threats while safeguarding the privacy, human rights and democratic freedoms we expect in our society," he explains.

English says the legislation implements the majority of the recommendations made in the first independent review of intelligence and security, carried out by Sir Michael Cullen and Dame Patsy Reddy.

"I would like to acknowledge the almost unanimous support this Bill received in the House. It recognises that national security is a fundamental responsibility of any government and reflects the cooperation across political parties on this legislation," he adds.