NZ terror laws face possible tightening

The spread of CCTV cameras matches the overseas mood of insecurity, says Assistant Commissioner Jon White. Pictures / Hawkes Bay Today

New Zealand could be faced with tough new anti-terror laws as officials eye crackdowns in Britain and Australia.

The country's top counter-terror policeman, Assistant Commissioner Jon White, said new security laws planned overseas were being monitored, with the tolerance for people who incite terror winding back since last month's London bombings.

He said New Zealanders may need to debate at some stage the balance between lost personal freedoms and a more secure nation.

"The legislation that is being looked at in the UK and Australia is being followed very keenly here."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard is keeping New Zealand informed about a counter-terrorism summit next month where state premiers and senior ministers will review security laws.

It is not expected New Zealand will formally be invited to the summit, but officials have observer status at Australian Government and official-level anti-terror forums.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said yesterday the Australians would be ensuring New Zealand knew of any decisions taken at the summit.

The legislative crackdowns were announced after the London bombings, and come on top of already tightened laws across much of the Western world since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced immediately after London commuters were struck by suicide bombers that there would be far tighter laws put in place, which are expected to limit freedom of speech and to allow "extremists" to be deported.

John Howard has said new Australian security laws, on which British experts are advising, are "imminent".

While no proposed law is in front of our Government, Mr White said the police would be watching both planned law changes offshore and the civil liberties debates around them.

"We have to confront it. The world has changed and we have to change with it.

"We do have people here who sympathise with terrorists and what they've done. The level of tolerance, in terms of freedom of speech, is winding back a little."

Mr White said free speech, freedom of expression and freedom of religious expression were values Western democracies held dear.

"The intention is not to compromise them in the fight against those who would exploit them, but it's a fine balance to be struck."

Mr White said countries which had been targeted by terrorists tended to be more prepared to give up personal freedoms.

"In that sense New Zealand is a little way behind."

Mr Howard's plans have already sparked protests from civil liberties groups and the judiciary.

A senior Australian judge, Justice Elizabeth Evatt, said this week checks and balances needed to be built into any new laws.

Since September 11 New Zealand has passed a raft of new laws, including the outlawing of certain terrorist groups and banning of financing for groups. Immigration and customs officials have also been handed increased powers.

The risk of a terror attack in New Zealand is rated as low, while in Australia it is formally rated as medium.

Australia's response

Proposals for random bag and body searches at train and bus stations, more intensive use of closed circuit televisions.

Possibility of national identity cards.