ACT on Campus opposes spy bills

ACT on Campus' President and Vice President have spoken out against the spy bills supported by leader John Banks.

VP Guy McCallum has used an editorial in Otago University magazine Critic to criticse the GCSB Bill and its companion legislation, the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) or "TICS" Bill.

“As a member of ACT, which has supported a government wishing to expand the surveillance powers of intelligence agencies, I'm often asked the question: do I support the GCSB or TICS bills?," he writes.

"No, I don’t."

He goes on: “ACT leader John Banks thinks a balance is possible; if democratic principles and human rights restrictions are included, then expanded surveillance powers are acceptable - we just need to find the right balance between freedom and security.

“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.”

"Freedoms traded for security rarely recovered"
ACT on Campus President Taylor Warwood says the youth wing as a whole opposes National’s spy bills.

“We believe that the bills are an unnecessary expansion of state power," Mr Warwood says.

"While Labour’s original legislation does need improving, people must be mindful that freedoms traded for security are rarely recovered,” Mr Warwood says.

Limits to opposition
Mr Warwood said the youth wing's opposition to the spy bills did not mean it would stop supporting Mr Banks.

"We share a wide agenda, and the relationship between ACT on Campus and ACT is solid," he told NBR.