Semi-Commercial Stance on TVNZ is Farcical

Friday 25th May 2001 Penny Webster Media Release -- Other

If today's announcements about TVNZ weren't so serious, they would be laughable, ACT MP Penny Webster said today.

"The Government fought bitterly among themselves on whether TVNZ should be commercial or not. They have settled on a compromise: TVNZ will be semi-commercial. This is as ridiculous as saying somebody is 'nearly pregnant'!

"They have put BCL and TVNZ Australia in the 'too hard' basket, to sort out in two years' time when they are out of office.

"The Government is urging a shift in culture away from a strict commercial focus, yet paradoxically argues that opportunities will open up for TVNZ staff.

"The morale in the SOE is at a very low ebb: today's announcement will kill any goodwill toward the Government that is left.

"Marian Hobbs has effectively thrown away billions of dollars of revenue, in exchange for more politically correct nonsense," Penny Webster said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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