 SIG has been criticised for spying on peaceful protest and community organisations, wasting resources, and using "Stasi tactics and covert political operations that undermine democracy" (Keith Locke, Green Party police spokesperson).The group has also been criticised for "dangling money, public money, in front of protest group members, such as Gilchrist, in an attempt to [turn] them into spies" (Alan Liefting, Coalition spokesperson), and for having "gone well outside its mandate" (Andrew Little, EPMU president).On 22 December 2008 the Maritime Union of New Zealand announced it had received legal advice and would seek further action.