Sniping puts new terror law at risk

A proposed new terror law is up in the air as the Government and the Opposition accuse each other of playing politics with national security.

On Monday, the Government will have to find some common ground with the National Party on the Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill, in order for it to pass its first reading next week.

On Wednesday, Justice Minister Andrew Little introduced the bill to strengthen counterterrorism laws and support the de-radicalisation of New Zealanders returning from overseas.

But the Opposition said it was not strong enough and proposed changes, which Little said looked like dumb politicking on the part of National and was ‘‘silly’’.

The bill – dubbed by some politicians as the ‘‘Taylor law’’ because it has been seen as being created to deal with a potential return of ‘‘Kiwi jihadi’’ Mark Taylor to New Zealand – would give the police the ability to apply to the High Court to impose control orders on New Zealanders who have engaged in terrorismrelated activities overseas.

In the case of Taylor, this could include asking him to report to a police station, wear an electronically monitored bracelet, imposing internet restrictions, and limiting who he could see.

National initially said it would support the first reading of the bill and proposed some changes for the select committee stage.

But following Little’s comments, it threatened to withdraw that support unless Little met with party leader Simon Bridges and seriously considered its changes.

These included lowering the age limit so the bill applies to 14-year-olds, increasing the prison term and adding new provisions such as a clause to capture those convicted of a terrorist offence in New Zealand.

Little was too quick to dismiss the changes without meeting the party and that approach was arrogant and could put lives at risk, Bridges said.

He also argued that Little had clearly written the bill to try to get the support of the Greens – but the Greens have said they will not support the bill in its current form and also wanted to see changes made during the select committee process.

Little has since agreed to meet with Bridges on Monday.

Bridges told Stuff the National Party had a lot of expertise as former ministers and could offer constructive improvement to the bill and make it stronger.

He urged Little to work with National in good faith and in the interest of national security.

‘‘If he continues with the ‘thoughtless approach’ he has been taking, we won’t support the bill.’’ Bridges said the party would make a decision after the meeting on Monday.

Little told Stuff yesterday the threat to withdraw support for the bill was further politicking from National.

He stood by his comments on the provisions in the bill but was willing to explore a couple of National’s ideas on Monday because the bill would benefit from those improvements.

But no rationale had been offered for some of the other proposed changes, he said.

‘‘There has been a lot of to-ing and fro-ing on what I think is megaphone diplomacy.

‘‘The reality is this is a serious issue of national security.

‘‘I still believe most of National want to deal with this seriously,’’ Little said.

In the meantime, he would continue his discussions with the Green Party.

‘‘The reality is this is a serious issue of national security.’’ Justice Minister Andrew Little