The Government intensified its sales job on the GCSB Bill yesterday, with the Prime Minister claiming some New Zealand citizens have had al-Qaeda training in Yemen.
The bill passed its second reading yesterday by 61-59 as the Government tried to dampen concerns over the powers it grants to the GCSB to spy on behalf of other agencies, and spy on New Zealanders in the interests of cyber security.
It is expected to go through its final stages next week, when the amendments to tighten oversight that MP Peter Dunne secured in return for his support will be introduced.
In an apparent bid to emphasise the need for effective spy agencies, Mr Key yesterday said on More FM that some New Zealanders had travelled to Yemen to attend al-Qaeda camps and were under surveillance.
He refused to give further details but, asked later in the day, said he had signed warrants for surveillance of "a small number" of people who were in Yemen.