11 Oct 2010

Capital protest against search and surveillance bill

7:38 am on 11 October 2010

More than 300 people marched through central Wellington on Saturday to protest against the Search and Surveillance Bill.

The bill, which is before the Justice and Electoral Select Committee, would extend rights of search and surveillance to a number of government agencies and expand the powers of police.

Protesters chanting and waving placards stopped outside the National Party Headquarters in Willis Street and the Central Police Station in Victoria Street.

They were demonstrating against measures they say go too far, including those allowing people to be filmed in their homes without their knowledge.

Under changes made to the bill, police could only film a person on private property when investigating offences carrying a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment or more.

At select committee hearings in September, Privacy Commissioner Marie Schroff said she was satisfied with the changes.

However, protesters say the bill would still open the door to abuses of power.