The Green Party have produced a brochure they are distributing to the public that presents what they believe is wrong with the Search and Surveillance Bill. Details can be found on their website www.greens.org.nz/searchandsurveillance

The Greens are concerned that the bill gives, for the first time so they claim, the power to use force, including the power to detain people, to a number of enforcement agencies that have never had such power(s) in the past.  Such agencies they claim, include the Department of Internal Affairs – whose Censorship Compliance Unit is responsible for tracking down, gathering evidence, and assisting in the prosecution of paedophiles who trade objectionable publications over the internet.

In addition the Unit carries out the same functions with respect to hardcore pornographers, who hoard and distribute unclassified imported DVDs filled with objectionable content that degrades, demeans and dehumanises women. One such prominent New Zealand pornographer has been prosecuted by the DIA for 33 offences involving the distribution of such unclassified sexually explicit material.

It should be obvious that DIA enforcement agents must be granted the increased powers contained in this bill to be able to inspect, carry out surveillance on, apprehend and bring to justice, paedophiles and hardcore pornographers who break the law and do untold injury to the public good.  [Read more…]