Finlayson Christopher: Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFinlayson Christopher: Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 25 November 2014. Volume:702;Page:802. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister in charge of the NZ Security Intelligence Service)on behalf of theMinister for National Security and Intelligence: I move That the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill be reported to the House by Tuesday 2 December 2014 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting except during oral questions during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House despite Standing Orders 191 and 194(1)(b) and (c).As the Deputy Leader of the House said when moving the urgency motion this afternoon the Government is proposing a shortened select committee process here due to the urgency of the proposals. The legislation as we have heard in the first reading contains measures that can add to the safety and the security of New Zealand in the short term. It is the Government’s intention that legislation be passed before the House rises for Christmas so that we are in a stronger position to deal with the threats we are seeing. Furthermore and this is very important a more comprehensive review of all relevant legislative settings will occur in a broader intelligence review that is required under law to begin by the middle of next year and it is envisaged a very full select committee process will take place at that time.In the present circumstances what the Government wanted was for this bill to get as much select committee scrutiny as possible within the time available. I realise obviously that the time is short but we have taken some steps to try to address that. For example as I said in my first reading speech a number of organisations including the New Zealand Law Society have received advance copies of the bill to assist with their submissions and I know that the Legislation Advisory Committee has been looking at it as well. [Interruption] I beg your pardon?Tracey Martin: How about the other two political parties—how about them?Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Well I think that instead of plaintive cries by that New Zealand First member I can assure the House that there will be an opportunity for submissions to be given by the sorts of people whom this House would expect to give submissions. I have already mentioned the New Zealand Law Society and the Legislation Advisory Committee and I know that for example as I said the Legislation Advisory Committee has been looking at the issue. I am confident given the very constrained nature of the bill which is shortly heading to the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee that we will get good submissions.The issues as they have appeared in the first reading debate we have just had appear to be very focused and defined and I believe we can cut to the chase very quickly. That is why we are seeking a shortened timetable. I am confident that the select committee comprising the sorts of people who are on that committee is going to do a very good job over the coming week.