Prime Minister John Key has been criticised for handing over responsibility for New Zealand spy agencies the SIS and the Government Communications Security Bureau to Attorney-General Chris Finlayson, Radio New Zealand reports.
Key yesterday announced his new Cabinet line-up, saying he has created a new role for himself - the Minister of National Security and Intelligence. Opposition parties say it is a clear admission of failure on his part.
Over the six years that John Key has been the minister responsible for the SIS and the GCSB, he has been dogged by a number of controversies.
That includes the illegal spying on 88 New Zealanders, the leaking of a report reviewing the GCSB, and the passing of legislation to widen the GCSB's powers despite public concern.
Labour's acting leader David Parker said passing over responsibility is a dereliction of duty by the Prime Minister.
“It's been traditional in New Zealand that the Prime Minister, who’s the top dog, has to take the responsibility of overseeing our intelligence agencies. I don't doubt the capability of Chris Finlayson but it is incumbent upon the Prime Minister to oversee those organisations rather than delegate it to someone else.”
