My letter to Nikki Kaye MP

Dear Nikki Kaye,

I’m writing to you, my MP for Central Auckland, both as a concerned citizen, and as a concerned journalist.

I’m only young, and my career is in its infancy. I have some grand ideals and visions for where my career might take me, as many aother New Zealanders do when the opportunity to succeed is so great in this country.

I’m fearful that both the GCSB and TICS bills in their current and proposed forms will stifle journalists’ ability to operate freely in this country. I’m fearful that sources or whistleblowers will shy away from speaking to journalists and publications. I’m fearful that the public will no longer be well-informed due to this chilling effect.

I’m most worried that rather than enshrine it in the statute, the Prime Minister seeks to make promises through press releases. I’m further worried by the power that will be invested in that office, and that office alone. Surely a panel, regularly convened, comprised of the Privacy Commission, the Human Rights Commission, and the serving Officer for Security Warrants would be a reasonable, impartial alternative.

This panel, alongside the relevant parliamentary committees, would be enough to set the New Zealand public’s collective mind at ease.

The freedom, opportunity, equality, and social mobility past generations fought for is at risk of being undone by the very apparatus that is designed to protect those ideals.

I hope you can appreciate the irony.

I hope that there is some element of your person that I can appeal to, in order that you withdraw your support for the proposed legislation.

I urge you to abandon a party line that is so belligerent to the concerns of the public, and to cross the floor and vote against both the GCSB and TICS Bills.

Kinds regards,

James Robins