Backing secure for jihadist bill

Prime Minister John Key confirmed yesterday the bill would be introduced and likely pass its first reading under urgency in Parliament today. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Labour supports ‘foreign fighters’ law

The Government's controversial "foreign fighters" legislation allowing the recall of suspected New Zealand jihadists' passports and warrantless surveillance is set to pass its first reading today as Labour holds its nose and votes for the bill it still remains sceptical about.

Prime Minister John Key confirmed yesterday the bill would be introduced and likely pass its first reading under urgency in Parliament today.

Labour leader Andrew Little said he had not yet had a chance to look at the bill.

"We were offered a briefing about that, we still haven't had it. I'm very sceptical about the rush with which they wish to pass it but let's see what happens in the next day or so."

Labour foreign affairs spokesman David Shearer said Labour would support the bill to allow outstanding issues to be considered by a select committee and "to have good submissions" on it.

"We've got some new threats to New Zealand. We have to accept what we hear in the briefings we've had from the SIS but we're not going to give a free pass to get this through."

Mr Key understood SIS director Rebecca Kitteridge would give Mr Little a briefing on "some of the actual examples that would have been captured by the law if it had been changed and why it's necessary ...".

The bill
• Amends the Customs and Excise Act, the NZ SIS Act and the Passports Act
• Extends the period the Minister of Internal Affairs can cancel a passport to up to three years.
• Gives the minister the power to suspend passports for up to 10 working days.
• Allows the Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to carry out video surveillance on private properties.
• Permits the NZSIS to conduct emergency surveillance without a warrant for up to 48 hours.