Council of Trade Unions (CTU) president Ross Wilson said a new definition of terrorism included in the law could allow the government to define strikes by unions over social and political issues as terrorist actions. The CTU sent a letter to the government outlining its concern that unionists could be caught up in the web of the new legislation. Green Party Member of Parliament (MP) Keith Locke, also the party's foreign affairs spokesperson, told the press that he was concerned about the lack of public discussion being allowed on the new measures.

Sweeping new powers are being given to the government under the proposed Terrorism (Bombing and Financing) bill, introduced in parliament last April. A public submissions period was open until July. With the war drive launched in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in the United States, the government took the opportunity to amend the legislation.

Initially, only nine selected groups were to be allowed to make submissions to the parliamentary select committee about the bill, and they were given a week to do so. Following protests by civil liberties groups, unions, and the Green Party, however, the government was forced to extend the submission period to three weeks and broaden it to the public. The government plans to use a temporary regulation order to ensure it will have the measures in place by the end of November.

The new definition of terrorism covers anyone who commits political acts of violence to property, infrastructure, or the economy, or who finances or supports such behavior in any country. Simply on the grounds of "reason to suspect," a person or organization can be deemed a terrorist and their financial assets frozen. Such a designation can be made on the basis of secret information supplied by overseas or New Zealand security services. The accused has no right of access to this information, except in a limited way if the case later comes to trial. The designation, which can remain in place for five years, can be appealed only to the Minister of Justice or the Inspector-General of the Security Intelligence Service. The bill also makes it a crime to recruit terrorists.

It creates two new offenses--"terrorist bombing," with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and "financing of terrorism," with a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. The measure also provides for international collaboration by New Zealand authorities in investigation and extradition of "suspects," and gives New Zealand courts extraterritorial jurisdiction over any alleged offense if there is a link to New Zealand.

Included also in the October 29 package was the announcement that security screening of domestic airline passengers and baggage, which was introduced after the September 11 attacks with the use of military personnel, would now become permanent. Legislation to facilitate Security Intelligence Service interception of electronic communications is also being considered, and aviation security and customs measures are currently under review.  
 
Backing imperialist war
Meanwhile, amid speculation of instability in the coalition government, Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Helen Clark, and Alliance leader and Deputy Prime Minister James Anderton have moved firmly to quell any likelihood of Alliance members of parliament withdrawing their support for the war.

At the Alliance party conference November 10, a motion calling for Alliance MPs to withdraw their support was defeated. A compromise motion to "review support for the deployment of Special Air Service troops" was passed. The Alliance is a coalition of three parties dominated by left social democrats who split from the Labour Party in 1990.

In early October all 10 Alliance MPs voted for a motion to declare "its support for the offer of Special Air Services troops and other assistance as part of the response of the United States and the international coalition." Alliance MPs claimed credit for a mention of the United Nations resolutions on the conflict in the motion and said that allowed them to support it.

Meanwhile, Alliance leader and cabinet minister Matthew Robson is promoting a government plan to deepen the intervention of New Zealand imperialism under cover of providing "humanitarian" aid. This package could include an air force Hercules transport plane, engineers, medical and logistics teams, and would have the cover of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Robson also offered at the Alliance conference government funds for non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan and a New Zealand commitment to a United Nations-led effort to rebuild government institutions and clear mines.

Foreign Minister Philip Goff indicated November 11 that New Zealand troops could join a future UN force to intervene in the country, in addition to a contingent of Special Air Services soldiers already committed.

The seven Green members of parliament voted against the motion in parliament. Keith Locke has also backed "humanitarian aid" while calling it a "smoke screen to justify New Zealand intervention."

Fissures are also developing among Labour members of parliament over support for the war, with two of Labour's Maori MPs, Nanaia Mahuta and Mita Ririnui, chairman of the Maori caucus, voicing doubts over New Zealand military involvement. Mahuta referred to the example of Te Puea Herangi, who as a young woman led a movement opposing Maori involvement in the First World War.  
 
 
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