Readers' Comments

Reader Comments on Aardvark Daily 31 July 2001

Note: the comments below are the unabridged submissions of readers and do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.


From: David Farrar
For : The Editor (for publication)
Subj: GCSB/SIS Interception

A few comments in light of Bruce's editorial.

1) SIS/GCSB warrants can not be signed by any old Minister
but only by the Prime Minister (in role as SIS Minister).

2) The SIS/GCSB already have the right and have been doing
this anyway.  They are merely maintaining the right to do
so when the Bill forbids others from being able to do so.

3) There is an Inspector-General of Intelligence who is
always a retired High Court Judge who checks on the
appropriateness of any warrants issued by the PM.  So
effectively there is not a huge divergence from the Police
requirements.


Note the above is not a defence of the Bill - I have other
issues with it.  Merely putting some perspective on the
issue!

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