Explanatory note

This Supplementary Order Paper amends the Government Communications Security Bureau and Related Legislation Amendment Bill. The amendments to the objective of the GCSB made by the Intelligence and Security Committee introduced contributing to “the economic well-being of New Zealand” as an overall objective, rather than something that is relevant “only to the extent that they are affected by the actions or intentions of foreign organisations or foreign persons”. Extending the GCSB’s objective to include economic security, while also giving it domestic spying powers, would have a chilling effect on political discourse. This amendment removes the objective of the GCSB to contribute to the economic well-being of New Zealand.