Govt computer next S.O.E.?

Press, 16 August 1988, Page 2

Govt computer next S.O.E.?

The Wanganui Computer Centre may be the next Government service to become a State-owned enterprise. The Wanganui Computer Centre Amendment Bill announced in Parliament by the Minister of State Services, Mr Rodger, also will allow the police, the Justice Department and the Ministry of Transport greater access to the computer. The bill is being considered by the Government Administration Committee and the public response to the call for submissions has been described as only moderate. Submissions closed last Friday for the bill.

Mr Rodger said the amendments proposed were consistent with the original approach to the computer centre and while the computer was recognised as a tool in law enforcement work the act also recognised the rights of New Zealanders not to have any unwarranted intrusion into their privacy.

Clarifying what constituted law enforcement work was an important

part of the amendments, he said. It was proposed the three departments would have easier access to the computer centre because it could be used in conjunction with other computer equipment for normal departmental needs. Mr Rodger said the three departments would be given unrestricted right to use the computer system for storage, processing and retrieval of information other than law enforcement information.

Local authorities will also have more power to use the computer system if the bill becomes legislation.

It will become an offence for any person with lawful access to the system to knowingly use in an unauthorised manner any law enforcement information obtained from it.

Mr Rodger said the change of status of the Wanganui Computer Centre to a State-owned enterprise would mean that Ministerial responsibility would still be maintained..-