I was wondering yesterday whether the Attorney-General had made a section 7 report on his Video Camera Surveillance (Temporary Measures) Bill, because the bill seems so obviously inconsistent with the Bill of Rights Act. He didn't, of course. The reason why is quite surprising: he doesn't think the bill is a justified limitation to ensure the police can do their jobs; he actually believes it is consistent with the BORA because it "does not confer any new power to search".
This is nonsense upon stilts, the sort of exercise in disingenuity that gives all lawyers a bad name. And it shows that Finlayson is not doing his job properly. As Attorney-General, he is supposed to protect our rights against assaults by the executive, and give honest advice to Parliament. He has failed to do that, instead excusing police misconduct and misleading Parliament. And for that, he should resign.
