Archive
Citizens vs the Rogue Deep State
.
.
Blogger Martyn Bradbury has won his case against unreasonable search and surveillance against the NZ Police; and subsequent Police attempts to produce evidence in secrecy, in a closed Court.
His case highlights a disturbing growing trend in Aotearoa New Zealand for State power to be used against anyone who has “run foul” of The Establishment:
- 2009: An attack by then Welfare Minister, Paula Bennett, against two solo-mothers who criticised National’s social welfare policies. Ms Bennett released personal information pertaining to the two women’s financial circumstances to silence their criticism. Ms Bennett’s actions were deemed to have been a breach of their privacy.
- 2011: Police searched several media offices during the “Teapot Tapes” controversy. Radio NZ’s Don Rood said Radio NZ would refuse to hand over any material that might compromise anonymous sources.
- 2014: The illegal search and seizure of Nicky Hager’s property as retribution for his investigation into the close links between a far-right blogger and the National Party. Police were attempting to uncover the identity of the whistle-blower known as “Rawshark”. The search (and seizure of property) of Mr Hager’s home was later deemed unlawful.
- 2017: The leaking of Winston Peters’ superannuation details as part of a patently obvious political dirty tricks campaign. Senior civil servants passed on details to then-Ministers Paula Bennett and Anne Tolley – the latter admitting in Court to disclosing those details to others. Mr Peters’ case was then leaked to the media prior to the 2017 General Election, ostensibly to destroy his political career and his party’s chances for re-election. The case is currently on-going.
This illustrates why so many New Zealanders – including the dogged John Campbell through his former programme, ‘Campbell Live’ – were 100% justified in opposing increasing the surveillance powers of the GCSB, SIS, Police, and god knows who else.
.
.
The abuse of State agencies’ power – already considerable – showed how warranted our fears were. And still are.
It is why I made a submission in 2013 to the Justice Select committee on the GCSB Bill (which would permit surveillance of New Zealanders in our own country) should not only stop – but that the powers of the GCSB should be re-set to those of 1977. Then a full public enquiry held to determine what, if any, changes really needed to be made.
I still believe this more than ever to be necessary.
Secondly, the so-called Police apology to Martyn Bradbury is notable for an appalling part of their statement;
.
.
“Police apologise for the stress and other psychological harm caused to you by virtue of YOUR INVOLVEMENT in this investigation.” [My emphasis.]
That is insulting phaseology and is a sly suggestion that blame continues to lie with Martyn Bradbury. It strongly suggests that Police hierarchy have yet to fully comprehend the nature of their abuse of power.
Additionally, there was also financial and reputational harm caused to Martyn by Police abuse of their power. It is now clear that he was denied bank loans as a direct consequence of improper Police activity.
The appropriate phrasing should have been;
“Police apologise for the financial, reputational, stress, and other psychological harm caused to you by virtue of our over-zealous actions that inappropriately involved you in our investigation.”
That phrasing would be accepting responsibility. The original wording barely achieves that.
Lastly, someone authorised this illegal activity. Those individual(s) are still in positions of authority within the New Zealand Police. They still wield power – unbridled power.
I find that troubling in the extreme.
There must be resignation(s) from the Police force. Someone must be held to account.
Just as the rest of us are, under the law.
Famous Last Words
From Parliament, on 27 March 2003, when the Government Communications Security Bureau Bill was being debated;
“This is a good bill. I do not accept the criticism of those who speak against it, that somehow it means that information about people will be gathered improperly…” – Peter Dunne, then-MP and leader of the United Future Party, speaking on behalf of a Bill to extend the power of the GCSB
Media Reporting
Perhaps even more shameful than Police behaviour has been that of the Fourth Estate reporting this issue to the public. Search engine checks (and confirmation by Martyn Bradbury) have both confirmed that only the NZ Herald and Magic Talk radio have reported the outcome of this case and the Police backdown and apology. The Herald article is pay-walled and consequently of little use to non-subscribers.
The Police abuse of power and the gross invasion of Martyn Bradbury’s private life could happen to any of us. But you wouldn’t know it going by the Total Media Blackout at TVNZ, Mediaworks/TV3, Fairfax/Stuff, and even sadly – Radio NZ.
Perhaps if TV3, TVNZ, et al, had reported less of the gruesome details of two current murder court cases, the public of Aotearoa New Zealand might be more informed on one of the most important civil rights cases in recent years.
Imagine if every mainstream media devoted the same scrutiny and reporting of Martyn Bradbury’s civil rights case against the police as they did to Grace Millane’s drinking on the night leading up to her demise.
We might be a very well-informed nation indeed. Sadly that is not the reality.
We have been let down badly by those empowered to preserve the law, and by those we entrust to speak truth to power. The media are supposedly tasked to shine a light on events that are of crucial importance to society; to the people; and to every individual.The freedom of the Fourth Estate is critical, they keep telling us, as a bulwark against State excess; to promote openness; and to hold those in power accountable.
They utterly failed us.
.
“The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance.”
– John Philpot Curran (24 July 1750 – 14 October 1817)
.
.
.
References
The Daily Blog: 5 years and finally justice – NZ Police formally apologise & settle for breaching my civil rights
The Daily Blog: My case against a secret NZ Police investigation that breached my privacy and my civil rights
The Daily Blog: Kafka’s Shadow – My hearing against NZ Police & secret trials
Fairfax/Stuff media: Paula Bennett accused of Muldoon-style bullying
Fairfax/Stuff media: Bennett won’t rule out releasing beneficiary details
NZ Herald: TV3 searched over teapot tape
Fairfax/Stuff media: Radio NZ hands over ‘tea tape’ interview
Radio NZ: Anne Tolley admits ‘outburst’ in Winston Peters superannuation case
Mediaworks/Newshub: Police accessed blogger’s bank records unlawfully – report
Parliament: Hansards – Government Communications Security Bureau Bill – Third Reading
NZ Herald: ‘Bomber’ Bradbury gets apology from police after exploit used to access bank records, driving him to the edge
Previous related blogposts
The GCSB Act – Tracy Watkins gets it right
The secret closed trials of Soviet Russia. (And Aotearoa New Zealand)
.
.
.
.
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 11 November 2019.
.
.
= fs =
Weekend Revelations #2 – Michelle Boag has a whinge
.
.
From TVNZ’s Q+A, on 25 October 2015,
.
.
The Q+A panel were ostensibly discussing out-going Police Association President, Greg O’Connor’s persistent calls to arm the New Zealand police. At one point, former National Party president, Michelle Boag offered her views on policing-techniques in this country;
@5.10:
Michelle Boag: “…But, it’s, it’s a bit of a shame, that for most of us, certainly for me personally, the, the only direct engagement I end up with Police is when they stop me as they did yesterday morning when I was driving to golf at seven o’clock in the morning for a random breath test. Right, so that’s an instant confrontational thing. And, er, it just makes you think, ‘oh god, here they are, enforcing’ all the time-”
Simon Dallow: “So were you more annoyed or were you more pleased that society is being protected here?”
Boag: “Er, well, I was annoyed because I haven’t had a drink for twenty years. And every time I get stopped on the way to golf early on a Saturday morning, I think, it’s a complete waste of your time. However, I know, if rather than saying my name and address, I say, ‘Listen, I don’t drink, you’re never going to catch me’, that I’ll probably get hauled up for, y’know, talking back to a policeman.“
It should not be lost on most politically conscious folk that one of National’s strongest, most agressively promoted tenet is that of “Law and Order”. One of it’s seven main election billboards, for the 2011 election, was the image at the top of the page.
National’s political history is replete with passing laws empowering the police and spy organisations SIS and GCSB. (The GCSB was set up under National, under then-Prime Minister Robert Muldoon’s leadership.)
Since 2008, National has passed the following laws;
Search and Surveillance Act 2012
Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill
The GCSB’s mandate was changed two years ago to permit it to spy on New Zealanders.
This, despite protests from New Zealanders up and down the country, opposed to extending the powers of the State into our lives. One wonders if Michelle Boag attended any of the anti-GCSB protests that’s been held around the country?
This is not the first time that a National Party apparatchik has been caught up in the new, murky atmosphere of surveillance, that is now part of our lives. In 2013, then-National Party president Peter Goodfellow, complained of being under covert surveillance by a private investigator;
.
.
I blogged on the issue here: National Party president complains of covert filming.
And who can forget the outrageously delicious irony of National’s coalition partner, Peter Dunne, having his emails pinched by Parliamentary Services and passed on to the Prime Minister’s Department.;
.
.
Then-Fairfax journalist, Andrea Vance, also had her Parliamentary phone and swipe-card records passed on to the PM’s Department (which was “assisting” the Thorn Inquiry), as an investigation was held into the identity of the secret source who leaked Vance a confidential report into the GCSB.
The irony is that even as Peter Dunne was rearing up and braying in self-righteous indignation at the invasion of his privacy, two and a half weeks later, he voted with National in the Third and final reading of the Government Communications Security Bureau Amendment Bill (now an Act) which passed it into law.
Now everyone in New Zealand could have their privacy invaded.
I blogged on the issue here: Parliamentary spies and games – some bad numbers
When governments pass laws extending the powers of the State’s security organisations, and increase surveillance capabilities of spy agencies, then it has created a fertile environment where privacy is no longer as sacrosanct as it once was. Whether it be police stopping motorists at random to detect potential drunk drivers*; a private investigator recording a conversation; or one government agency passing private emails on to another; or covert surveillance on potentially all New Zealanders, a new norm has been created.
Michelle Boag may be indignant at being stopped on her way to her golf on a Saturday morning – but her right to unimpeded travel on our roads was extinguished a long time ago. The State now has the right to stop her as, when, and however, it’s security agencies ‘deem necessary’.
She may even have her phone and internet tapped, should she ever run foul of a future government.
All perfectly legal.
I love it when National’s quasi-fascistic law and order policies eventually catch up with it’s own supporters.
Thank you, Lady Karma.
.
“We are from the government, we are here to help.” – Ruatoki, 15 October 2007
.
* Footnote:
It should be noted that this blogger has no problem with random breath-testing conducted by Police. Whilst this country is awash with cheap, easily-available booze; and whilst New Zealanders refuse to address our penchant for binge-drinking, random breath testing is one of the few means we have to protect ourselves and our families from liquored-up drivers. Michelle Boag needs to get over her preciousness and sense of entitlement in this regard. The next drink driver the police catch could be one on her road, as she drives to her golfing rendezvous.
.
.
.
References
TVNZ Q+A: Panel on arming the Police
Wikipedia: Government Communications Security Bureau
Fairfax media: National Party boss alleges covert filming
Fairfax Media: Emails given to inquiry
Parliament: Government Communications Security Bureau Amendment Bill
Previous related blogposts
Parliamentary spies and games – some bad numbers
National Party president complains of covert filming – oh the rich irony!
National’s disdain for democracy and dissent
Welcome to new glorious People’s Republic of New Zealand
Today’s irony was brought to you courtesy of former ACT MP and Govt Minister, Rodney Hide
.
.
.
.
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 28 Octobr 2015.
.
.
= fs =
Dom Post journos get it wrong – again!
.
.
Yet again, journalists who are experienced, professional, and supposedly well-informed have made a mistake about the pre-amended GCSB Bill. From the above article written by Tracy Watkins, Stacey Kirk, and Michael Fox stated,
The Government changed the law in the wake of revelations the GCSB may have spied illegally on more than 80 New Zealanders.
The law at that time supposedly prohibited them from doing so.
“Supposedly”?!
One. More. Time.
The GCSB Act 2003 was very specific in restricting the Bureau from spying on New Zealand citizens and permanent residents. Section 14 of the Act stated with unambiguous, crystal clarity;
14Interceptions not to target domestic communications
-
Neither the Director, nor an employee of the Bureau, nor a person acting on behalf of the Bureau may authorise or take any action for the purpose of intercepting the communications of a person (not being a foreign organisation or a foreign person) who is a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident.
The law at the time could not have been any clearer. (Unless it was written in big red crayons!)
Key’s Official Party Line that the GCSB Act 2003 was “vague” or “flawed” was accepted almost without question by many journos too lazy to actually get on the internet and look up the law (as it stood at the time) for themselves.
There were exceptions though.
Audrey Young from the NZ Herald knew the Act very well, and said so in no uncertain terms;
The GCSB Act 2003 expressly forbids it from spying on the communications of New Zealanders.
But, by a series of snakes and ladders through the stated functions and objectives of the act, it convinced itself it was allowed to help the SIS and police spy on New Zealanders.
Another journo was Tracy Watkins from the Dominion Post;
“The GCSB’s interpretation of the law was so loose it managed to spy on 88 New Zealanders even though the law specifically stated it was not allowed to do so.”
The same Tracy Watkins who put her name to the more recent story above, “Key dismisses GCSB spying claims from Greenwald” which suggested “the law at that time supposedly prohibited them from doing so”.
I can only assume Ms Watkins did not read that part of the story before putting her name to it.
Sloppy work.
.
References
Fairfax media: Key dismisses GCSB spying claims from Greenwald
Legislation: Government Communications Security Bureau Act 2003
NZ Herald: Spying on NZ: More power to watch us
Dominion Post: Spy bungles start to entangle PM
Previous related blogposts
The GCSB Act – Tracy Watkins gets it right
.
Above image acknowledgment: Francis Owen/Lurch Left Memes
.
.
= fs =
When Stupid meets Hypocrisy, the result is David Farrar
.
.
As the sh*t storm over Nickey Hager’s book, Dirty Politics engulfs the National Party; Key’s teflon coating is being scoured away by the nova-like searing heat of public glare; Cameron Slater is shown to have been the weapon-of-choice for the government’s dirty tricks campaigns; Judith Collins is embroiled (again) is claims of mis-using her ministerial position; SIS information was leaked to Slater; etc, we have David Farrar – blogger for the National Party – now making this incredible (and somewhat incredibly stupid) public post on Facebook;
.
.
To quote in cut-and-pastable text;
“For reasons I’ll make clear tomorrow, but should not be hard to guess, I need to do a security check of my home and office. I need to check for bugs, implanted software and the like.
Does anyone know of a good but reasonably priced firm that can both check for physical bugs, but also check laptops, computers, phones etc for any electronic nasties?
I’m rather sad and angry that I have to do this, but it seems it is necessary.” – David Farrar, Facebook, 14 August 2014
W.T.F?!?!
Farrar hasn’t spelt it out, but I’m guessing that he’s not pointing the finger at the GCSB/SIS/Police/NSA for needing to do a “security check of [his] home and office” and needing “to check for bugs, implanted software and the like”?
I’m also guessing that he’s making a snide reference to alleging that Nicky Hager or an accomplice has bugged his home?
And I’m also guessing that Farrar, the National Party’s blogger-of-second-choice, is hoping that the media will pick up on this – an extremely clumsy attempt at deflection – by running a counter story/smear against Hager.
Pathetic, Mr Farrar, absolutely pathetic. Also throw in desperation mixed with a bit of juvenile dramatics.
Is this your best defense after being found out?
Anyway, Farrar is a fine one to be complaining bitterly about being “bugged” (even if we were to take him even minutely seriously). After all, Farrar supported the GCSB and Related Legislation Amendment Bill which, which finally passed on 21 August 2013, against massive public opposition;
“These are good changes. I had talked on TV about one area of concern being the proposed ability for the Govt to add other agencies onto the list of agencies the GCSB can assist with interceptions. Having Parliament, not the Government, make any changes is desirable.
Despite these significant changes, Labour appears to still be voting with the Greens against the bill. Ironic as it was a Labour Government that caused this problem with their 2003 law change.
Dunne and Banks have shown how you can have a constructive role in improving legislation.” – Kiwiblog, 24 July 2013
Or this;
“What I think is important is that the GCSB can’t just help the SIS with any old request. That their assistance is limited to cases where the SIS has gained a warrant due to security concerns. Let’s look at the SIS Act for the criteria. That:
the interception or seizure or electronic tracking to be authorised by the proposed warrant is necessary for the detection of activities prejudicial to security
And what does security mean:
- the protection of New Zealand from acts of espionage, sabotage, and subversion, whether or not they are directed from or intended to be committed within New Zealand:
- (b)the identification of foreign capabilities, intentions, or activities within or relating to New Zealand that impact on New Zealand’s international well-being or economic well-being:
- (c)the protection of New Zealand from activities within or relating to New Zealand that—
- (i)are influenced by any foreign organisation or any foreign person; and
- (ii)are clandestine or deceptive, or threaten the safety of any person; and
- (iii)impact adversely on New Zealand’s international well-being or economic well-being:
- (d)the prevention of any terrorist act and of any activity relating to the carrying out or facilitating of any terrorist act
So it is important to recall that the 88 cases cited in the Kitteridge report, all had warrants authorised under the SIS Act because they met one or more of the criteria above. The issue is not that they should not have legally had their communications intercepted – but whether the right agency did the interception.
If you do not amend the law, then there will be no reduction in the number of NZers who have interception warrants issued against them. The only difference is the SIS will do the interception directly, rather than use the GCSB.” –Kiwiblog, 15 April 2013
And this,
“Yet Labour and Greens are opposed to the GCSB doing what it did under Helen Clark – assist the dSIS. The problem is the law passed by Clark does not make it clear if the clause saying it will not monitor NZers over-rides the clause saying it can assist other agencies such as the SIS.
She rejected that the Government Security Communications Bureau routinely spied on New Zealanders as that was “not part of their remit”.
And still will not be, despite the hysteria. In fact the bill will provide greater transparency than in the past over what work the GCSB does do.” – Kiwiblog, 4 August, 2013
Plus this bit,
“What is being proposed is that the GCSB can continue to do the actual interception on their behalf as they have the expertise. If the bill fails, it won’t mean a single less domestic interception. It will just mean interception infrastructure will be duplicated and exist in multiple agencies, rather than one.” – Kiwiblog, 25 June 2013
And,
“The Inspector-General has said that basically on balance of probabilities he does not believe their actions have been outside the law – but again, that it is not absolutely clear.
A recent review of compliance at the GCSB by Rebecca Kitteridge found difficulties of interpretation in the GCSB Act. Following the Prime Minister receiving that report, cases involving 88 New Zealanders were referred to the Inspector-General. All were cases where the GCSB had been asked to help another agency.
Mr Fletcher says the Inspector-General found that all of the cases were based on serious issues including potential weapons of mass destruction development, people smuggling, foreign espionage in New Zealand and drug smuggling.
Nothing to worry about then!
- 15 cases involving 22 individuals did not have any information intercepted by GCSB.
- another four cases involving five individuals were the subjects of a New Zealand Security Intelligence Service warrant and the GCSB assisted in the execution of the warrants. The Inspector-General is of the view that there were arguably no breaches and the law is unclear.
- the Bureau only provided technical assistance which did not involve interception of communications, involving three of the individuals, so no breach occurred.
- the remaining cases involved the collection of metadata, and the Inspector-General formed the view that there had arguably been no breach, noting once again that the law is unclear.
It is worth noting that this is over around a 10 – 12 year period, so we are not talking a huge amount of activity.
Mr Fletcher says the Inspector-General is of the view that the interpretation of “communication of a person” is one of the issues where there are uncertainties in the interpretation of the GCSB Act, when it comes to metadata.
An example of metadata is the information on a telephone bill such as the time and duration of a phone call, but not the content of the conversation or identification of the people using the phone.
Now it is not good enough that interceptions happened when there was uncertainty over the law. The operations of the spy agencies must be beyond doubt legally. Hence the major changes being made to GCSB to ensure no repeat. But it is worth putting this into context, especially compared to the current scandals in the US with Associated Press and Fox news journalists having their communications intercepted to try and find out their sources on security issues.” –Kiwiblog, 21 may 2013
So after cheerleading National’s law-change to allow the GCSB to spy on all New Zealanders, Farrar is now bitching that someone *might have* spied on him?!
Not for the first time, I remind certain right-wing politicians and apparatchiks that Karma is an implacable goddess, and not to be trifled with.
But if this is a cunning plan to deflect attention away from this crisis, that Farrar is trying to dangle in front of the media – well, it’s a damn, piss-poor amateurish attempt.
Farrar and his Tory mates need to understand one simple thing; this is a small country. Like Cunliffe and his ill-conceived plan for a Trust fund during his Party leadership campaign, secrets do not stay secrets for long.
If there is one thing that the media loves in this heightened commercial, competitive, ratings/advertisement-driven environment: it’s a sensational headline.
The National Party dirty-tricks team have generated many of those headlines. Now it’s their turn.
The only ‘bug’ that Farrar needs to concerned about is a slater.
.
References
Scoop media: Nicky Hager book launched today
Facebook: David Farrar
Kiwiblog: GCSB Changes
Kiwiblog: Labour and GCSB
Kiwiblog: Clark on GCSB
Kiwiblog: What if the GCSB bill doesn’t pass?
Previous related blogposts
The GCSB – when plain english simply won’t do
When Karma caught up with Cameron Slater
The Mendacities of Mr Key #4: “Trolls & bottom-feeders”
The Mendacities of Mr Key #2: Secret Sources
Whalers go gunning for Whaleoil
Other Blogs
The Standard: Cameron Slater dirties John Key (or vice versa?)
The Dim Post: Dirty politics
Public Address: Dirty Politics
Bowalley Road: Thank God For Nicky Hager!Gordon Campbell on Nicky Hager’s new book
Pundit: A crazy day in dirty ol’ NZ politics
The Jackal: National’s death by association
.
.
Above image acknowledgment: Francis Owen/Lurch Left Memes
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 15 August 2014
.
= fs =
The Mendacities of Mr Key #1: The GCSB Bill
.
.
In an on-going series, we will look at the half-truths; mis-representations; omissions; and outright lies, told by Dear Leader John Key.
1. The GCSB Bill
Background
Last year, upon revelations that the GCSB had illegally spied on 88 New Zealand citizens, Key legitamised that law-breaking by passing the Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill into law.
The official governmdent narrative was that the GCSB law was badly flawed; vague; and confusing.
Either in ignorance, or another of his pathetic lies, John Key maintained this fiction,
“In addition, the Act governing the GCSB is not fit for purpose and probably never has been. It was not until this review was undertaken that the extent of this inadequacy was known…
[…]
The advice we have recently received from the Solicitor-General is that there are difficulties interpreting the legislation and there is a risk some longstanding practices of providing assistance to other agencies would not be found to be lawful.
[…]
It is absolutely critical the GCSB has a clear legal framework to operate within.”
Acknowledgement: John Key – PM releases report into GCSB compliance
The proposition that the 2003 GCSB Act was “ not fit for purpose and probably never has been” is not supported by reality. In fact, the law was crystal clear with it’s wording and intent. Section 14 of said Act stated with unambiguous clarity;
14Interceptions not to target domestic communications
-
Neither the Director, nor an employee of the Bureau, nor a person acting on behalf of the Bureau may authorise or take any action for the purpose of intercepting the communications of a person (not being a foreign organisation or a foreign person) who is a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident.
Source: legislation.govt.nz – Government Communications Security Bureau Act 2003
Conclusions:
- John Key wilfully mis-led the country, and in this blogger’s opinion, lied about the effectiveness of the law.
- The actual purpose of the Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill was to legalise the GCSB’s illegal spying activities.
- Not only did the Amendment head off potential court action, but it legitamised ongoing spying on all New Zealanders, despite the original intentions of the Act that this would never happen.
Charge: broken promise/deflection/half-truth/hypocrisy/outright lie/mis-information?
Verdict: outright lie.
.
*
.
References
NZ Legislation: Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill
Newstalk ZB: Govt data casts doubt on PM’s job comments
TV3: Key accused of spreading TPPA ‘mistruths’
NZ Herald: Toby Manhire – Chameleon Key delivers a masterstroke
Fairfax media: Demystifying the GCSB bill: Spies and lies
Previous related blogposts
The real reason for the GCSB Bill
The GCSB Act – Tracy Watkins gets it right
The GCSB – when plain english simply won’t do
The GCSB law – vague or crystal clear?
A proposed Labour-Green-Mana(-NZ First?) agenda – part tahi
.
*
.
Above image acknowledgment: Francis Owen
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 17 February 2014.
.
.
= fs =
One Dunedinite’s response to the passing of the GCSB Bill…
The following images were provided (anonymously) to this blogger. They show one Dunedinite’s response to the passing of the GCSB Bill on 21 August. The message, “John Key is big brother” was painted on the footpath outside National List MP, Michael Woodhouse’s, office…
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thanks to the person who sent in the images – and kudos for not spray-painting the building with the message.
The question now, is, will an incoming Labour-Green government repeal the GCSB Act, or will it tolerate the creeping growth of State power and surveillance in this country?
.
.
= fs =
As promised to young NZ First supporter…
… on Facebook,
.
.
(Hope the lettering is big enough, Curwen?)
.
.
= fs =
Peter Dunne – willing seller & buyer
.
Source: Marlborough Express – NZ spy agencies need urgent review
.
Peter Dunne and John Key are knocking back a couple of 100 year old scotches from Dear Leader’s private stock. They’re both pissed, and Key looks at Dunne and asks,
“Peter, would you bend over my Prime Ministerial desk and let met shag you from behind, if I paid you a million bucks?”
Peter Dunne – knowing that Key can afford a million dollars from his “Uncle Scrooge” petty cash tin, and considering how useful that money would be for next year’s election campaign replies,
“Why, yes, I would, John.”
Key grins slyly and carries on,
“Peter, what if I paid you half a million? Would that still be ok with you for a bit of rear-rogering?”
Dunne is a bit deflated. Half a million is not as much as a full million… but still, it’s better than nothing to fund his campaign.
He replies,
“Sure, John. Half a million would be ok, I guess,” and stands up to undo his belt.
“What about fifty bucks?” asks Key, downing the last of his glass of $50K-per-bottle scotch.
Dunne, fuming, screams at him,
“What?! Fifty bucks?!?! What do you take me for?!!!”
Key cooly replies,
“Oh, I think we both know what you are. We’re just haggling for the price, now…”
(With apologies – I know it’s an old joke…)
.
.
= fs =
From the Horses mouth…
.
Sometimes I wonder if politicians realise what spews from their mouths, as in the case of Justice Minister, Judith Collins, at the Privileges Committee today,
.
“It was quite a chilling experience to realise that ministers’ and staff’s emails, and their right to privacy, were treated with what I would say was a contemptuous attitude”
.
Indeed.
As most New Zealanders will be chilled to realise that our emails and right to privacy will be treated with a contemptuous attitude, once the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Amendment Bill and
GCSB and Related Legislation Amendment Bill are both passed through Parliament.
But evidently – as Ms Collins will be voting for the GCSB and TICS bills – the privacy of New Zealand citizens is nowhere as important as that of government Ministers.
Now that, I find chilling.
.
*
.
References
MSN News: Quotes from the privileges committee
Image: Otago Daily Times
.
.
= fs =
USA, Vietnam, Peter Dunne – Pot, Kettle.
.
Source: NZ Herald – US criticizes Vietnam new Internet control decree
.
The US Embassy in Vietnam goes on to state,
“Fundamental freedoms apply online just as they do offline,” the embassy said in a statement. “We are deeply concerned by the decree’s provisions that appear to limit the types of information individuals can share via personal social media accounts and on websites.”
Source: IBID
Yes, of course our American cuzzies want the Vietnamese people to allow ” information individuals can share via personal social media accounts and on websites”.
Then their National Security Agency (NSA) and Britain’s GCHQ can mine that data via their PRISM, XKeyscore, and god-only-knows what other systems are used to store data on citizens.
.
Source: The Guardian – XKeyscore: NSA tool collects ‘nearly everything a user does on the internet’
.
The government of Vietnam is right to be concerned with what it’s citizens may put online. With British and American spy agencies trawling the planet for information, it is now a matter of national security that nations protect themselves from this illegal spying. The internet poses a real danger to victims of this rampant, out-of-control spying.
The sheer hypocrisy of the US Embassy when it piously states that “Fundamental freedoms apply online just as they do offline” is breath-taking in arrogance.
It’s like Big Brother throwing a tanty when someone refuses to share their personal information, thus thwarting the spooks who are patiently waiting to hoover up the data.
Meanwhile, the Opposition parties, led by the Greens, have succeeded in stalling the passing of the GCSB and Related Legislation Amendment Bill for two weeks.
Their ‘filibustering’ has successfully stalled the passing of the Bill, as this Radio NZ report explains,
.
Legislation covering the Government Communications Security Bureau won’t pass all the way through Parliament this week as had been hoped by the Government.
The bill is now in its committee stages, where MPs debate it clause by clause. The opposition has employed delaying tactics since Question Time on Tuesday afternoon. An urgent debate on the Fonterra contamination scare delayed the debate further.
The Government will have to wait at least two weeks to pass the controversial legislation.
Source: Radio NZ – GCSB bill won’t pass this week
This gives opponants to the GCSB and Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Amendment Bills an opportunity to grow opposition and to educate the public what is at stake.
As for Peter Dunne, who is complaining about protesters targetting his home – my sympathy for him is zero.
.
Source: Dominion Post – Dunne lashes back at noisy protesters
.
Protester, Ariana Paretutanganui-Tamati is 100% quite right when she says that their presence is to “to give him a taste of what it feels like to have your privacy intruded on“.
Mr Dunn doesn’t like being surveilled?
Neither do we.
Do the right thing, Mr Dunne – vote the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Amendment Bill and GCSB and Related Legislation Amendment Bill down.
It’s the decent thing to do.
You still have time.
Don’t be John Key’s errand boy.
.
.
What would George Orwell – author of ‘1984’ – have made of all this, I wonder?
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 8 August 2013.
.
.
= fs =
TV3 – Campbell Live’s GCSB Public Vote
.
.
Register your vote on Campbell Live’s website;
.
.
This is an opportunity to let National know what we think on this issue. Register your vote now – let your voice be heard!
.
.
= fs =
“Freedoms traded for security are rarely recovered”
.
.
Firstly, let me point out and remind my readers (if any needed reminding), that I do not support ACT, nor it’s simplistic (and failed) neo-liberal market policies, nor it’s hardline policies toward those surviving on social welfare (many of whom are victims of said neo-liberalism’s failings).
Ok. Sorted.
Having got that preamble out of the way, I would like to extend a mighty big kudos to ACT on Campus who have come out opposing both the GCSB and Related Legislation Amendment Bill and the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Amendment Bill – both of which are currently before Parliament.
In an article on Scoop Media today, Vice President Guy McCallum voiced these words of wisdom,
.
Source: Scoop Media – Saying No to the GCSB and TICS
.
To requote Guy McCallum,
“It’s a well-meant offer, but neither he, nor John Key, nor the Labour Party (which launched this mess in the first place) can guarantee that the next person with keys to the Cabinet will be so just. They can’t guarantee that those at the top won’t give in to the obvious, inevitable temptations that come with this power – the power to watch you without you knowing and without having to tell you why.
It is incumbent upon all of our political leaders to oppose these bills. Not just because they will lead to the most obvious of places – state tyranny – but because politicians should be standing up to anyone who claims that such immoral and perverted powers are necessary.”
And backed up by ACT on Campus President Taylor Warwood ,
“We believe that the bills are an unnecessary expansion of state power. While Labour’s original legislation does need improving, people must be mindful that freedoms traded for security are rarely recovered.”
Both gentlemen are 100% spot on, and I believe that this is the grave mistake which many others on the Right have missed. The Right may support these two Bills – but only because “their man” is in power.
The Right may not be so happy if a left-wing Party comes to power and starts spying on them.
Mr McCallum and Mr Warwood understand this perfectly.
It’s a great shame that the wrong ACT members are in Parliament. We need more wisdom like this, rather than John Banks, who can stand up for the rights of animals (see previous blogpost: Nationwide rally condemns animal testing for party-drugs – part tahi) – but not for the rights of New Zealanders not to be spied on.
I have lived through the Muldoon years; the Lange years; the Bolger/Shipley years; the Clark years; and now through Key’s administration.
During that time I have seen the slow creep of State power increasing. Each time, the government of the day – and I point to both Labour and National on this score – has promised “just a little bit further to invade your privacy, but no more”.
But there is always “a little bit more”. Each government seems to find the need for a bit more State power and more surveillance and a consequential loss of our privacy.
Which is why, when I appeared before the Parliamentary Intelligence Select Committee on 5 July, I directed my comments at David Shearer and Russell Norman.
I said to both men that State power has grown with each passing decade, and each time we were promised that our privacy would be protected and State intrusion minimised. I told them that the political pledges in the 1970s, to protect our privacy, as the then new Government Communications Security Bureau Act 2003 was being passed, were now worthless.
I told them that this must stop.
I told them in another few years, I’d be back, arguing against even more State surveillance and police powers being demanded from Parliament.
And I asked them a simple question;
“When did it come to pass that we went from the State having to justify a new police or spy law – to citizens like me having to appear before a Select Committee to justify why I should be allowed to maintain my privacy? When did that happen?”
I then said to both men that should they come to power post-2014, that Parliament not only needed to review the entire spy apparatus in this country – but that it was time to wind back the clock. It was time to cut back on surveillance and extreme search powers, and to return privacy and civil rights to New Zealanders.
There is simply no justification for these powers. We do not have homegrown “terrorists”. Nor people building “weapons of mass destruction” in their basements. So I certainly do not believe one word that escapes John Key’s mouth. Let’s be honest here; his ability to tell lies is now a joke amongst most of the public. We know he’s bullshitting us. And he probaby knows that we know.
But we’re polite and we play our little game of politeness.
But not this time. Not with something as critical as this to the our way of life.
Because unless we do, in another five or ten years, there will be yet another addition to State surveillance, State control, and Police powers.
And another five years later, more laws.
And five years after that…
Until, finally, in the name of “state security” and phantom bogeymen, we find ourselves living in a country that is alien to anything that young men and women died fighting for, 70-plus years ago.
When the liberal left and the liberal right find a commonality, it is no longer a political-partisan matter. It is one that affects us all. Even those who naively assert that they have “nothing to hide”.
So I say to the members of Act on Campus – keep up the fight. It is possibly one of the most important you will ever face.
And I say to Mr Shearer and the Green co-leaders; don’t let us down.
.
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 7 August 2013.
.
*
.
See also
The Daily Blog: It bloody well is not an imaginary problem when our government spies on our journalists!
The Critic: Saying No to the GCSB and TICS
The Pundit: Who’s to blame for the abuse on Andrea Vance?
.
.
= fs =
Moral justifications in a moral vacuum cannot be heard
.
A recent TVNZ story,
.
Source: TVNZ – Spy law legislation passes second reading
.
In the same TVNZ story, note the invocation of Helen Clark’s name by John Key;
“That is just the way things are,” he said. “We live in a global environment where there are real threats, that’s the point we make with the GCSB legislation, it is why Helen Clark passed the legislation in 2003.”
And,
“It is obviously small numbers but there are small numbers of radicalised New Zealanders, who have either gone over into those environments or returned, and I don’t think this is terribly new, I suspect Helen Clark would have signed warrants as well.”
Source: IBID
It’s not that Key is trying to shift blame on to Labour – as he usually does when avoiding responsibility for one of his stuff-ups (see: Taking responsibility, National-style, and National’s disdain for taking responsibility). No, this time he is invoking the credibility and mana of his predecessor to justify his own dubious actions on the scandals and unpopular legislation swirling around him.
Despite a few trivial errors of judgement, Clark left Parliament with her reputation intact; enhanced; and invited to work for the United Nations.
Contrast that to John Key whose reputation for distortion; fudging the truth – and in my opinion, some outright lies – has left his reputation in tatters.
Channelling his predecessor’s name appears to be Key’s last card to justify an unwarranted extension of governmental power; the growth of the policed surveillance state; and his involvement in illegal spying on a member of parliament and a journalist.
If that is all he’s got left , then he’s heading for rock bottom.
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 4 August 2013.
.
.
= fs =
The GCSB Act – Tracy Watkins gets it right
.
Source: Dominion Post – Spy bungles start to entangle PM
.
“The GCSB’s interpretation of the law was so loose it managed to spy on 88 New Zealanders even though the law specifically stated it was not allowed to do so.”
Nice to see the MSM finally catching up with the blogosphere.
Since the introduction of the Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill on 8 May 2013, the Prime Minister – with his usual talent for mis-representing the truth and talking absolute bollocks – maintained the fiction that the current law surrounding the GCSB (the Government Communications Security Bureau Act 2003) was “vague” and “not fit for purpose”,
“In addition, the Act governing the GCSB is not fit for purpose and probably never has been.
It was not until this review was undertaken that the extent of this inadequacy was known.”
Source: johnkey.co.nz – PM releases report into GCSB compliance
This was nothing less than a barefaced lie, designed to deceive the public.
The 2003 GCSB Act was actually crystal clear with it’s wording, and Section 14 of said Act states with unambiguous clarity;
14Interceptions not to target domestic communications
-
Neither the Director, nor an employee of the Bureau, nor a person acting on behalf of the Bureau may authorise or take any action for the purpose of intercepting the communications of a person (not being a foreign organisation or a foreign person) who is a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident.
Source: legislation.govt.nz – Government Communications Security Bureau Act 2003
For a long time, the mainstream media parroted this fiction (see: The GCSB law – Oh FFS!!! ). Evidently no one in newsrooms had bothered to do a simple check.
Not until Audrey Young wrote a piece acknowledging the clarity of the current GCSB law on 24 June. (see: Audrey Young on the GCSB)
So it’s refreshing that Tracy Watkins, writing for the Dominion Post on 3 August, has also got it right.
Now all that remains is for a journo to actually ask Key why he bullshitted us in the first place.
What are the chances…?
Andrea – time for utu.
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 4 August 2013.
.
.
= fs =
Those who love Big Brother
The majority of sensible, clear-headed New Zealanders are clearly opposed to any further extension of the power of the State to spy over all of us;
.
.
But there are a few, as evidenced by a handful of comments on various fora, who seem to be “relaxed” with the growth of the Surveillance State. They seem to be unconcerned that state apparatus can violate our privacy at will, without just cause, and with minimal checks and balances.
People like these on a post-article Comments section, in a piece written by Rob Kidd and Francesca Lee for the Dominion Post;
.
Source: Dominion Post – Thousands join rally against GCSB
.
“If you aint got anything to hide why should you worry???” – says “Niggly”.
Which is an interesting statement to make since all five supporters of the GCSB Bill (including “Niggly”) are using pseudonyms.
What have they got to hide, I wonder?
It seems fairly clear that supporters of the GCSB Bill are not so keen to abandon their privacy after all. Or, perhaps, being National Party supporters, they believe that Dear Leader Key will be Prime Minister forever, and “their man” would never spy on his loyal supporters.
The word deluded springs to mind.
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 30 July 2013.
.
.
= fs =
When governments go bad
.
Source: Radio NZ:
.
Governments of all hues, after a while, begin to believe their own spin. Their arrogance in knowing “what is best” for the people grows with each passing day as they listen less, and dictate more.
This comment from Key on 28 July beggars belief,
“At the risk of encouraging them to have more protests, I would actually say those numbers are quite light. It wasn’t anything like what we saw for mining or anything like that.
“A lot of people who would go along [to the protests] would be a) politically aligned, or b), with the greatest of respect, misinformed.”
Source: TVNZ – PM dismisses protests against GCSB Bill as ‘misinformed’
Key forgets himself.
He may be the Prime Minister. He may be on a salary of $411,510 (plus perks). He may pass laws that curtail our freedom and privacy.
But in the end he is a civil servant; an elected politician; and one who sits in his office at the will of the people.
Politicians who forget that come to a sticky end in some countries, or in democracies like ours, face the embarressment of being thrown out at the next election.
The hacking of National’s websites is another indication of mounting anger from New Zealanders at National’s dismissal of our concerns and ploughing ahead with unpopular and un-needed legislation.
When governments go bad, they should expect resistance, not respect.
Expect resistance to grow, Dear Leader…
.
Hat-tip: The Daily Blog
.
New Zealanders – Resist.
.
.
= fs =
Wellington protests against the Surveillance State (part toru)
.
Continued from: Wellington protests against the Surveillance State (part rua)
.
.
NZ, Wellington, 27 July – The peaceful protest march had arrived at Parliament without incident, and people were in good spirits.
The way that democracy is under threat in New Zealand (see: Defence rates investigative journalists as threat), this protester had a point;
.
.
The numbers swelled on Parliament’s grassy grounds;
.
.
Protest organiser, Ariana, welcomed people and explained why the GCSB Bill (and it’s sister Bill, the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Amendment Bill) were a threat to our free, open, and democratic way of life in this country;
.
.
A simple appeal from a New Zealander to the government; please don’t spy on me;
.
.
Question – when did we arrive at a state in our affairs when we have to plead for privacy from our own government?
When you think about it, the image below is spot-on. It is more than a little pervy for the State to be spying on it’s citizens and reading all manner of intimate emails, and other electronic communications;
.
.
Young people who wanted their message seen;
.
.
The flags of Mana and The Greens, fluttering in the unseasonably warm July breeze;
.
.
Mick’s telescope, set up to peer up at the Ninth Floor of the Beehive;
.
.
Were there really on “500” people attending, as the media (except TVNZ) claimed? Look for yourself;
.
.
Is that a statue of Lenin holding the red flag?!
And another shot of the rally numbers ;
.
.
That looks a tad more than “500” to me. My guesstimate – between 3,000 to 5,000 people.
Green Party co-Leader addressed the rally. He said that when National MPs sneer at you, remember that they are frightened of you.
.
.
With a wry grin, and semi-seriously, Russell also suggested that everyone submit OIA requests to the GCSB asking how many had attended the rallies around the country. He said it might be fun to tie them up so they could not spy on us.
He finished of by repeating that “we should reject mass surveillance and reject this Bill“.
Billy McKee, from the Green Cross, then addressed the rally, vowing that he would lead an occupation to oppose this Bill;
.
.
Organiser, Ariana, interviewed by a TV1 News team;
.
.
Ploughshares Aotearoa Peace campaigner, Adrian Leason, who along with two other activists, entered the Waihopai spy base and deflated one of the domes, addressed the rally;
.
.
He encouraged concerned citizens everywhere to “disarm the plastic covers on the spybase” and put the facility out of operation. He said the Waihopai base spied on the United Nations, including diplomats and staff.
Adrian told the rally that Warner Bros had requested the GCSB to spy on Kim Dotcom. He said that worrying about the loss of our privacy was only “one piece of the bigger puzzle”.
His address was warmly received by the rally.
Civil liberties campaigner/Tech Liberty co-founder, Thomas Beagle, followed;
.
.
Thomas said that the GCSB bill was about “mass surveillance” and expanding the power of the State,
“It’s about spying on everyone, no matter what they’ve done, no matter what they’re going to do. This sort of mass surveillance changes the balance of power in our society away from the people and towards the state.
I believe in the right to privacy, I believe in the right to sit in my house and call my friends on the phone without the Government listening.
I believe in freedom of expression and freedom of association, for people not being scared into silence because they are being watched by Government spies.”
[Blogger’s note: actual quote taken from msm.]
The next speaker was veteran peace and social justice campaigner, Valerie Morse;
.
.
Valerie read out a long list of legislation that successive governments had passed over the last decade that had, in some way, taken away some aspect of our civil liberties; increased the power of the State; or elevated the primacy of corporate power over our own rights.
She condemned the GCSB’s close links to American spy agencies, saying that we “do not need our every movement logged by the NSA“.
Valerie said that the greatest struggle was to protect our freedoms. She said,
“Enough, we will not take any more. The struggle goes on for a free society.”
It was an amazing turnout for Wellington, Valerie said; “we are winning!”
Following Valerie, CTU President, Helen Kelly addressed the rally;
.
.
Helen said that this government was becoming a bully. She said, “Don’t buy into ‘nothing to fear so have nothing to hide. We all have things we want to hide and keep to ourselves“. That was called privacy, she said.
Helen reminded the rally that this government has been abusing its power by persecuting beneficiaries and has only recently tried to access a journalist’s records in the Peter Dunne case,
“Peter Dunne – who did not want his emails read!”
Following Helen was Rimutaka Labour MP, Chris Hipkins;
.
.
Chris said that there was a fundamental principle that we all have a right to privacy. He criticised Ohariu MP, Peter Dunne as “wrong to sell his vote“.
Chris then announced the following policy statement,
“We will work to have it repealed!”
Chris’s policy pledge echoes that of Labour MP, David Cunliffe, who announced at an anti GCSB Bill public meeting in Auckland on Friday 26 July,
“The Labour Party has a proud tradition of taking on evil and inequitous legislation whether it’s apartheid or nuclear weapons or other things of that nature. Our leader has committed to a thourough review of this legislation and based upon what’ve have heard tonight, I personally, and I’m sure my caucus colleagues, will be of the view that this legislation must not, will not, and cannot stand!”
See previous blogpost: David Cunliffe announces Labour Govt will repeal GCSB Bill!! **Updated**
This is another clear indication that Labour is committed to repealing this damnable piece of legislation, should it lead the next government.
We will hold them to that promise.
In which case, what does it profit National, and it’s smile and wave leader, to pass unpopular legislation, knowing that it will not survive a change of government?
In Kiwi parlance, the Nats are on a hiding to nowhere.
Time to give it up, Mr Key.
Brief vid of Wellington street march
Source: Youtube – Chris Russell
Blogger’s Postscript
Ironically, it is Peter Dunne who will not release his email correspondence between himself and Fairfax journalist, Andrea Vance, insisting on his privacy – or “Parliamentary privilege”, as he calls it.
Dunne insists on maintaining his privacy (whilst voting away ours). When Inquiry head, David Henry, requested Parliamentary Service access to Andrea Vance’s internal office telephone records, he was indignant,
“They went far too far. It’s now clear he didn’t have the authority to do what he claimed to do. The fact that a journalist’s records were sought without her approval is a significant impingement on her rights and freedoms.”
I hope Parliament’s air-conditioning is working properly. The stench of hypocrisy must be over-powering.
Meanwhile, from South Korea, Dear Leader Key responded to Saturday’s nationwide street marches,
“I accept there are some that will always feel a bit nervous about privacy and their own rights, but I can give you the best assurance I can that we’re very careful and cautious about what we do as a state. But in the end we do have to protect the interests in New Zealanders.”
Source: NZ Herald – Protest marches against GCSB bill across NZ
The public though – or at least a considerable majority – do not trust Key as much as he would believe,
A 3News Reid Research poll released on Thursday night asked 1000 voters who they believed – 52 per cent said Dotcom, 34 per cent said John Key, and the rest didn’t know or didn’t care.
Source: MSN News – Kiwis don’t believe Key over Dotcom
If I were Key, I would not be so smug and arrogant as to think that we trust him to “protect the interests in New Zealanders”.
Spying on New Zealanders is not “protecting our interests”. More likely, it suggests how much he fears us.
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 29 July 2013.
.
*
.
More images
Facebook: Alastair Foster
Media References
MSN News: Kiwis don’t believe Key over Dotcom
Dominion Post: Thousands join rally against GSCB
NZ herald: Protest marches against GCSB bill across NZ
TV3: Protesters turn out to oppose GCSB bill
TVNZ: Thousands of GCSB Bill protesters hit the streets
Radio NZ: Protests in Auckland, Wellington against security bill
Newstalk ZB: Anti-GCSB feelings growing – Norman
Copyright (c) Notice
All images are freely available to be used, with following provisos,
- Use must be for non-commercial purposes.
- Where purpose of use is commercial, a donation to Child Poverty Action Group is requested.
- At all times, images must be used only in context, and not to denigrate individuals or groups.
- Acknowledgement of source is requested.
.
.
= fs =
Wellington protests against the Surveillance State (part rua)
.
Continued from: Wellington protests against the Surveillance State (part tahi)
.
.
NZ, Wellington, 27 July – Wellingtonians (and from further afield) met downtown in Cuba Mall, to protest National’s planned GCSB Bill.
Placards ranged from professionally printed;
.
.
– to the artistic and decorative;
.
.
To a simple, single, word;
.
.
Green Party co-leader, Russell Norman, walking in the midst of other marchers,
.
.
This shy young lad, eleven years old, made his own protest placard from scratch, downloading and pasting images from the internet. This was his first protest march;
.
.
A message that should strike anxiety the the fear of god into the hearts of politicians; losing votes when they piss people off;
.
.
Who says that young people aren’t interested in politics or political issues any more?
.
.
More young folk, with a very wise message to our elected representatives, Alex with his home-made placard;
.
Alex and his hastily-crafted placard
.
At the intersection of Lambton Quay, Bowen St, and Whitmore St, one of the protest march organisers, Ariana (with loud-hailer), led an impromptu sit-down;
.
.
Valerie, taking pics of the event;
.
.
.
After about five or ten minutes, as the march was moving again to the gates of Parliament, this lone chap decided to yell out “retards” and other expletives at the protesters. His name is Eddie;
.
Eddie
.
I went up to Eddie and asked his why he called the protesters “retards”.
Eddie was upset that buses had stopped moving up Lambton Quay and he was worried that the chicken he had bought at the supermarket would develop salmonella. He said the protesters should be marching along the footpath and not the road. I asked Eddie how 3,000 to 5,000 people could fit onto a footpath.
He had no response. He said the protest should have taken place when people weren’t at work. I suggested to him that a protest march of this size would be less of a nuisance to traffic on a Saturday afternoon than had been held during the week. I then asked him if he knew what the issues surrounding the GCSB Bill were, and that maybe it was important enough to warrant a temporary, minor inconvenience.
At first Eddie denied knowing anything about the issue. When asked again, he admitted knowing that the GCSB’s powers were to be expanded “to spy on us all”.
When I asked him if that was an important issue of public concern he muttered something and walked off.
I hope he enjoys his chicken.
Meanwhile, those with more pressing issues on their minds had reached the entrance to Parliament – only to find that the main gate had been locked. Only two side-gates, which were barely wide enough to allow passage for one or two people at a time, were open.
Undeterred, those who were fit, young, and with enthusiastic energy went over the gates as well as around;
.
.
Not quite the storming of the Bastille – but their hearts were in the right place;
.
.
A note to the smart-arse news-editors on TV3 who quipped that protesters climbed over the main gate “even though there was another gate open right next to them” – mis-representing an event does not inspire confidence in your ability to be accurate and fair in your reporting.
Try getting 3,000-plus people through a small gap in any meaningful period of time. The entrance-way in question is to the right of the main gate in the image below;
.
.
Very disappointing that TV3 chose to make such a cheap shot.
As people squeezed through the side entrances, others continued to climb the barrier. The symbolism was obvious;
.
.
This young woman – with the sign “We are NZ!!! Not USA!” – climbed the gate and grinned with satisfaction;
.
.
Once through (or over) the gates, New Zealand citizens made their way up the road through Parliament grounds;
.
.
More people arrived. In this shot, you can clearly see the bottleneck at the front gates;
.
.
Parliament’s grounds were once again in the possession of the People.
To be continued: Wellington protests against the Surveillance State (part toru)
.
*
.
Copyright (c) Notice
All images are freely available to be used, with following provisos,
- Use must be for non-commercial purposes.
- Where purpose of use is commercial, a donation to Child Poverty Action Group is requested.
- At all times, images must be used only in context, and not to denigrate individuals or groups.
- Acknowledgement of source is requested.
.
.
= fs =
Wellington protests against the Surveillance State (part tahi)
.
.
NZ, Wellington, 27 July – Between 3,000 to 5,000 people (not the “500” estimated by the Dominion Post, NZ Herald, and TV3) took part in a march in Wellington on a bright, warm Saturday afternoon.
People assembled in Cuba Mall near the Bucket fountain, and when we arrived there were already at least a thousand people in attendence.
This shot looks south; the crowd extends all the way to the Cuba Mall/Ghuznee Street intersection;
.
Cuba Mall – looking south
.
The rest of the crowd, looking northward, from my same vantage point (on the Bucket Fountain’s wall);
.
.
Cuba Mall was effectively packed with people who had joined the protest march. Only TV1 got the numbers right (see: Thousands of GCSB Bill protesters hit the streets)
There were people from all walks of life; all ages; all races; all demographics. Families like this one;
.
L-R: Rebecca, Karl, Charley, and Alida
.
I was reliably informed that Rebecca’s tongue-poking was directed at Dear Leader, and not at myself. But one cannot be 100% certain…
Many of the signs carried messages on both sides, like Mick’s;
.
.
.
People’s messages were often witty and well thought out;
.
Dillon and Tanya
.
Other’s got straight to the point – stop stealing our human right to privacy;
.
.
.
Paul and Bev from the Ohariu electorate both expressed their disgust at Peter Dunne’s behaviour. Neither would be voting for him again, they both said;
.
.
Their signs had messages on both sides as well – typical ingenuity from New Zealander’s famed “no 8 fencing wire” can-do attitude;
.
.
Dunne must be either brave or foolish to be alienating his voters in this fashion.
Shortly after we arrived, the march took off, headed to Parliament. By this time, numbers had swelled and more people would join as the march moved along Wellington’s streets;
.
.
Politicians should take note – the protesters weren’t just radicals, activists, and suchlike – these were ordinary New Zealanders who rarely take to the streets.
What some placards lacked in political rhetoric and ideology, they more than made up in straight Kiwi talk;
.
.
And some folk have just had a gutsful of this increasingly autocratic government and want a chance to change things at the ballot box;
.
.
Many of the placards were obviously home-made, by ordinary citizens. Not exactly the “rent a mob” that Key and other Tories have claimed in the past, whenever they dismiss protest movements;
.
.
And some were downright creative in their style and message;
.
.
Home-made or pre-printed, the messages were crystal clear; people do not want the GCSB spying on us;
.
.
And some were pretty ‘earthy’ in their wording – but I think most fair minded folk can empathise with the passion behind the message;
.
.
More creativity;
.
.
Even businesspeople like Helen and Chelfyn were out on the street to protest. They found a simple, but novel way to spoof the threat of many eyes watching us,
.
.
To be continued: Wellington protests against the Surveillance State (part rua)
.
*
.
Copyright (c) Notice
All images are freely available to be used, with following provisos,
- Use must be for non-commercial purposes.
- Where purpose of use is commercial, a donation to Child Poverty Action Group is requested.
- At all times, images must be used only in context, and not to denigrate individuals or groups.
- Acknowledgement of source is requested.
.
.
= fs =
2013 – The Year We Became a Policed Surveillance State
Mark 2013AD in our history books. It is the year that we became a Policed Surveillance State…
.
.
Peter Dunne has capitulated to John Key’s “compromises”, and will give National his support to pass the Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill and it’s sister Bill, the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Amendment Bill.
.
Source: Fairfax Media – Dunne backs expanded spy powers
.
Peter Dunne’s sell-out should bring no joy to civil libertarians and to those New Zealanders who understand the full implications of these two proposed laws.
Every New Zealander will now potentially be under surveillance. Everyone.
The passing of these two Bills is not the end of the story, however. National also has another plan in store for us,
.
Source: NZ Herald – Kindy kids to have ID numbers
.
The numbering of children will begin with beneficiary families. That’s how it usually begins; with those at the bottom of the socio-economic heap, and who have been so completely dehumanised by constant vilification and finger-pointing that the Middle Classes no longer consider them as human. Certainly not people they feel empathy with.
Such is the purpose of well-designed, repetitive, propaganda. The Big Lie.
Of course, once New Zealanders are accustomed to the numbering and surveillance of beneficiary children – National will eventually expand the programme to include all children from all families. Everyone will become a number.
The numbering of our children – coming to all Kiwi families Real Soon.
Quasi-fascists and naive right-wing bloggers such as that witless, lying fool, Cameron Slater, are positively wetting themselves with delirious joy that New Zealand is a step further to being a Policed Surveillance State.
This could only have come about because of Key’s popularity with the Right Wing and the lumpen-proletariat/middle classes. (XYZ Factor anyone?! Out-House Improvement?? Survivor Eketahuna?!!?)
Had Labour tried to pass these two Bills, the Right would be fainting from apoplexy-inspired coronary attacks and the media headlines would be written in gory, blood-red headlines damning the rise of the ‘Big Brother’ State.
God knows the fuss over shower-heads raised the level of hysteria to heights not seen since the 1950s “red scare”.
But because our high-polling, smile & wave, Prime Minister is fronting this massive expansion of State power, only the Left and a few other isolated voices are vocal in their objection.
Interestingly – but unsurprisingly – several of Slater’s own commentators expressed unease at National’s expansion of the GCSB’s powers. One poster made this unerringly accurate observation,
.
Source: Whaleoil – Peter Dunne has found his stones, will support GCSB bill
.
Slater’s readers seem brighter than the sleaze-meister himself.
So much for Rightwing rhetoric about getting the State out of our lives and reducing the role of government…
But Cows4me has made a valid point (one which Slater doesn’t – or can’t – answer).
The GCSB and telco Bills are being passed by a government “friendly” to rightwingers. So nothing to fear, as Slater and some of his brain-numb sycophants keep telling themselves.
Except…
Every three years, we have these little events called “elections”.
And every so often, the public – bless their cotton socks – tire of rightwing economic orthodoxy and vote for a left-wing government to clean up the social mess created by National policies. As happened in November 1999.
Allowing the GCSB to spy on New Zealand citizens, and employing the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Amendment Bill, gives an awful lot of power to Prime Ministers – including left-wing Prime Ministers.
Rightwing bloggers like Slater and David Farrar often receive leaks from various Parliamentary sources.
The same applies to left-wing bloggers.
Now imagine that a left-wing government is elected in 2014 (still a strong possibility despite some shonkey polls)…
Imagine that rightwing bloggers go into hyper-drive with their sledging of the new government…
And imagine that a Minister in the new government becomes pissed off with something that Slater or Farrar or some other RWNJ blogger writes…
The Minister has a chat with the PM… the PM has a quiet word with the new head of the GCSB… the GCSB checks the internet activities of Right Wing blogger Mr X… and discovers that Mr X has been secretly chatting up young ladies on Facebook. Which is something that Mr X’s wife might take a dim view of.
And lo! A left-wing blogger is leaked this information and posts some very strong hints about Mr X’s proclivities and activities on his/her own blog… (In fact, there might even be a new blogsite created, by an anonymous left-wing blogger, for just this very purpose.)
If I were Slater or Farrar or any of their rightwing fellow-bloggers, I would not be so chirpy at the GCSB being given such vast new powers. In fact, I’d be hoping that my past and current life is squeaky-clean.
Same goes for commentators on right-wing blogs who hide behide the anonymity of pseudonyms. A GCSB operative checking IP numbers and relying on their new powers granted under the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Amendment would soon reveal their true identities.
Imagine then, if you will, that it was discovered that a commentator was posting from a work station. How would his/her employer feel if they were informed that their employee was indulging in blogging activity during work hours?
Unlikely, you might think?
Not really. Government ministers already leak information to bloggers.
And Paula Bennett certainly didn’t think twice before releasing private details of two solo-mothers in 2009,
.
Source: NZ Herald – No apology from Bennett over leaked income data
.
Politics just got a whole lot more “interesting”.
Welcome to New Zealand, the Policed Surveillance State of the 21st century.
Next step,
.
.
Followed by,
.
.
Unlikely?
That’s what was promised about the GCSB when it was first set up in 1977 by Rob Muldoon: it would never be allowed to spy on New Zealand citizens.
People trusted Muldoon then.
As people trust Key now.
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 25 July 2013.
.
.
= fs =
David Cunliffe announces Labour Govt will repeal GCSB Bill!! **Updated**
.
.
In Auckland this evening – at the Stop the GCSB Bill Public Meeting – Labour MP David Cunliffe answered a question from an audience member and committed an incoming Labour government to overturning the Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill.
.
.
Referring to his Leader, David Shearer, and his colleagues, David Cunliffe said, at 1: 15: 52,
“The Labour Party has a proud tradition of taking on evil and inequitous legislation whether it’s apartheid or nuclear weapons or other things of that nature. Our leader has committed to a thourough review of this legislation and based upon what’ve have heard tonight, I personally, and I’m sure my caucus colleagues, will be of the view that this legislation must not, will not, and cannot stand!”
See full video here,
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/07/25/live-video-stop-the-gcsb-bill-public-meeting-from-7pm
This was met with rapturous applause from the audience.
If this pledge is honoured by a Labour-led government then, to use an over-done cliche – this is a game-changer. It means that the constant growth and expansion of State powers will – for possibly the first time in our history – be reversed.
If Labour campaigns on this, it will prove a damaging hit to National.
In effect, the Left will be the movement to wind back the powers of government, and thus reducing the State from our lives.
Ayn Rand will be spinning in her grave!
Panel speakers were Kim Dotcom, Dame Anne Salmond, Dr Rodney Harrison, and Thomas Beagle. The event was chaired by retired Supreme Court, Judge Sir Edmund Thomas.
.
.
= fs =
Congratulations Ohariu voters…
… your MP has declared his support for legislation that will turn New Zealand into a Policed Surveillance State,
.
Source: NBR – Swing vote Dunne supports GCSB Bill after changing tune on domestic spying
.
Is this what you expected of your MP?!
If not, drop him a line and tell him that Big Brother is not on your Christmas “wish list”.
peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz
.
.
= fs =
Radio NZ: Politics with Matthew Hooton and Mike Williams
.
– Politics on Nine To Noon –
.
– Monday 15 July 2013 –
.
– Kathryn Ryan, with Matthew Hooton & Mike Williams –
.
Today on Politics on Nine To Noon,
.
.
Click to Listen: Politics with Matthew Hooton and Mike Williams (26′ 50″ )
- Labour’s leadership ‘coup’
- the Maori Party AGM
- the GCSB and new spy legislation.
Acknowledgement: Radio NZ
.
.
= fs =
Pita Sharples, Spooks, Maggie Barry, and Bully-boy Brownlee
.
Pita Sharples – gone
.
Acknowledgement: Radio NZ – Pita Sharples quits Maori Party leadership
.
Pita Sharples has effectively taken responsibility for the Maori Party’s poor showing (third place) at the recent Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election. That result was an indictment on the Maori Party’s decision to support an increasingly shakey government that is losing support in more accurate polling.
The internal leadership struggles between himself and Te Ururoa Flavell has also taken it’s toll on the 71 year old,
“It’s clear that the leadership issue…has taken a toll on the Maori Party and our people deserve a united Maori Party.”
Acknowledgement: Domninion Post – Sharples quits Maori Party leadership
It’s also something that is focusing closer scrutiny upon an increasingly unstable government. The toll thus far;
- Hekia Parata – lost part of her port-folio. In essence, a partial sacking.
- Aaron Gilmore – forced to resign from Parliament.
- John Banks – facing charges in Court. If found guilty, he will hve to resign.
- Peter Dunne – Party de-registered; lost his ministerial portfolios; and becoming increasingly oppositional to National’s policies.
- Pita Sharples – standing down as Maori-Party co-leader
An early election this year (or early next year) is becoming more likely with each passing crisis.
Not a good time for National.
.
The spooks have a new Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security…
.
On 1 July, John Key announced that Paul Neazor would be replaced in his role as Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (for the SIS and GCSB) by former-Judge Andrew McGechan.
Key says that McGechan’s role will be on an “interim” basis, instead of the usual three years, as the GCSB and Related Legislation Amendment Bill is currently being considered by a Parliament Select Committee.
However, with Peter Dunne wavering on this issue; with mounting public opposition; and god-only-knows which way Winston Peters will jump; the passing of the GCSB and Related Legislation Amendment Bill is by no means guaranteed.
In which case, National has two options remaining,
1.
The office of the Inspector-General must be expanded; properly staffed; and appropriately funded. At present, the Inspector-General’s role is a part-time position, with no permanent staffing. Our Inspector General is faced with oversight of two intelligence agencies with a combined staff of around 520. In effect he is out-numbered, out-resourced, and consequently, out-manouvered.
By contrast, our Aussie cuzzy’s version of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security has approximately 20 people working full time for the Inspectorate (see IGIS Annual Report 2011-12 Part three: Management and accountability )
This, I believe is the real problem surrounding our security-intelligence agencies – not the legislation needing “tightening up”. The legislation is tight enough as it is.
It just needs to be obeyed.
2.
The Labour Party’s call for a full public commission of inquiry on this matter cannot be ignored any longer. If Key wants cross-party support and public buy-in to secuirity/intelligence issues, then it must be open to all political parties and the public to contribute to the debate.
As matters stand now, if National forces through unpopular, undemocratic, and ultimately counter-productive laws – an incoming government will be bound to amend or repeal it entirely. This is grossly wasteful use of the Parliamentary process and taxpayer’s money.
This blogger hopes that the GCSB and Related Legislation Amendment Bill is set aside. Aside from National ministers and a few misguided rightwing bloggers, there is very little support for this proposed legislation.
Additional
Parliament: External oversight of intelligence agencies: a comparison
.
Egg; Face; Maggie Barry
.
Ex-radio host-come-National politician – known for her acerbic and often nasty tongue in Parliament’s debating chamber – has copious amounts of egg on her face.
Ever the loyal, obedient National Party foot-soldier for towing the OPL (Official Party Line), she loudly parroted her party’s opposition to the Auckland rail link. She expressed her “well wishes” to Len Brown after he won the 2010 Mayoralty race with this graceless message,
The morning after National’s resounding victory she sent a strong message to Auckland mayor Len Brown, saying there would be a CBD rail link before a second harbour crossing “over our dead bodies”.
Acknowledgement: Fairfax Media – Maggie Barry’s line in sand
Charming.
But political Karma being what it is, National’s change of heart on this issue had made her look foolish. Her senior fellow politicians have now endorsed Len Brown and Auckland Council’s plans for the Auckland rail link,
.
Acknowledgement: Interest.co.nz – Auckland Mayor celebrates Government’s agreement to support rail loop
.
Ms Barry, not quite bringing herself able to tow the new OPL, endorsed only certain aspects of Auckland Council’s transport plans,
North Shore National MP Maggie Barry said there was a “flurry of excitement” about the suggestion the North Shore could get another link to the city.
“It is essential and long overdue, and it would make a phenomenal difference to the North Shore.”
Acknowledgement: NZ Herald – Key to give Auckland a crossing
I suspect there’s enough egg on Ms Barry’s face to cook up a decent size omelette.
.
Bully-boy Brownlee
.
Not content with creating the Auckland super city without first putting it to Auckland ratepayers through a referendum…
Not content with pushing more laws through Parliament under “Urgency” than probably any other government in New Zealand’s history…
Not content with dis-establishing Environment Canterbury in March 2010; replacing it with un-elected Commissioners; whose decisions cannot be appealed to the Environment Court…
Not content with usurping the authority of the Christchurch City Council with the creation of CERA…
Not content with being given sweeping political power in the Christchurch re-build, via the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act which effectively gives unbridled power to National Ministers for five years…
Not content with expanding the surveillance powers of the GCSB, where no one will be safe from being spied upon by the State…
Not content with moving to take control of Christchurch…
Gerry Brownlee is now putting none-too-subtle pressure on Auckland City to sell its assets to help pay for the Auckland rail loop,
.
Acknowledgement: NZ Herald – City’s shares eyed for rail
.
Acting more reminiscent of a feudal Baron ruling over his fiefdom, Brownlee is treating Mayor Len Brown as a vassal, forcing Auckland City to obey National’s diktats.
I wonder what Aucklanders think of this kind of high-handed Ministerial control being exerted over their city – all the way from Wellington?
It must be demeaning for Aucklanders to realise that their elected local representatives are being treated like puppets, and that real power is being exerted from the Beehive?
So much for the quaint notion of democracy.
So much for Aucklanders being in charge of their own destiny.
So much for the “partnership” that our mendacious Prime Minister promised, three years ago,
The Government will work in partnership with the new Auckland council to improve the city’s transport systems, Prime Minister John Key says.
He said today the Government shared Mayor Len Brown’s vision of getting Auckland moving and it was a government priority as well.
“The Government will work in partnership with the new Auckland City Council on what comes next, and contribute its fair share to the continuing goal of improving transport,” Mr Key said at his post-cabinet press conference.
Acknowledgement : NZ Herald – Govt will work with council on Auckland’s transport
Having a Minister of the Crown attempting to bully Auckland to sell it’s assets in not a “partnership”. And just because National has engaged in an act of wilful economic sabotage by it’s agenda of partial asset-sales – is no reason to expect others to follow that lunatic policy.
Gerry Brownlee should take note. He is playing with political fire, and a million votes in Auckland may come raining down on his (and other National MPs’) head.
If I know Kiwis as well as I think I do, they will not take kindly to being bossed around. (The Americans found this out, to their cost, when the Lange-led Labour government passed our nuclear-free legislation.)
How much does Brownlee really want to piss that many voters off?
Tread carefully, bully-boy.
This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 3 July 2013.
.
.
= fs =
News Archives
Crony Watch
Keeping an eye on dodgy government appointees, crony-by-crony!
Stop the TPPA
Inside Child Poverty in New Zealand
Save Radio New Zealand
Kidscan – Supporting disadvantaged Kiwi Kids
Action Stations – Getting Out The Vote!
