It's hard to see how the Government will get value from its expensive appointment of Ian Fraser as chief executive of TVNZ, National Broadcasting spokesperson Katherine Rich said today.

"Ian Fraser earned $180,000 running an orchestra and now sources say he's negotiated a salary of between $400,000 - $500,000. Unless there has been a miraculous transformation, that's potentially a $320,000 increase for the same person offering the same skills - a significant pay increase for any public servant.

"The key issue is whether he has the financial and management skills. Running a multi-million dollar television business is quite different to attracting people to the orchestra.

"I am sure that Helen Clark will be thrilled that one of her close confidantes and a fellow member of the artistic elite is now running TVNZ. I just hope that the new Head of Television is mindful of what most New Zealanders want to watch," Mrs Rich said.

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