Prime Minister John Key is reconsidering his decision to hold secret committee hearings on a new bill which strengthens the powers of the Security Intelligence Service (SIS).Mr Key, who is chairman of Parliament's Security and Intelligence Committee, intr
Prime Minister John Key is reconsidering his decision to hold secret committee hearings on a new bill which strengthens the powers of the Security Intelligence Service (SIS).
Mr Key, who is chairman of Parliament's Security and Intelligence Committee, introduced the bill on Monday and said public submissions on it would be held behind closed doors -- although those appearing would be able to publish their submissions if they wanted to.
Opposition parties complained and said there was no clear precedent for secret hearings.
Mr Key said today his initial advice had been that the hearings should be held in private.
"Last night I received advice that led me to ask the director of the SIS to reassess the issue and provide me with new advice on what the situation should be," he said.
