28th October 2008

There has been publicity recently about a Dept of Statistics survey that has been running for 4-5 years with several years to go before presumably a new crop of unwilling subjects are rounded up. A couple have tried to opt out of it which has put the spotlight on the draconian powers that some government departments have to intrude into our lives with the threat of prosecution and fines for non compliance.

We supposedly live in a free democracy and yet 22,000 NZ'ers whether they like it or not are required to expose the details of their lives which include salary rises, mortgage payments, visits to the doctor, credit card transactions and a host of other personal details to a total stranger to satisfy the bureaucrats. The legislation and powers that make such a thing possible are more at home in China or Nazi Germany and run totally counter to the Bill of Rights. They have no place in a country like New Zealand. I have no problem with surveys to assist with future planning, but there should be a right to make the choice whether to take part or not. It's up to the government to produce an attractive carrot if prospective participants are reluctant to participate not just threaten with a stick if you dare to resist.

The Police don't have such powers, yet snotty nosed bureaucrats can just walk into your home with the backing of the courts. How can this be so?

TC