Marc My Words 17 Apr-pt2

Marc My Words.

From Marc Alexander MP 17 April. 2003

United Future NZ-Christchurch Supplement Part 2

Labour's Maori TV Policy is like the Charge of the Light Brigade

It´s obvious that there´s no rhyme nor reason to Labour´s policy on Maori TV. If the same determination to forge ahead despite overwhelming evidence that it cannot succeed were applied to any other facet of life we´d shake our heads!

When Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey says that MTS will be "one of the most exciting public broadcasting projects ever attempted" who is he fooling? I don´t know anyone, Maori included, who would agree. Exciting? For whom?

The Minister claims there will be a niche market for it. Oh really?

Why should taxpayers with so many other pressing priorities, dig deep to pay for a niche supplier? If we really want to do something positive for the social, cultural and economic development of Maori, we could put resources into early interventions to stem the appalling rise in crime, health and unemployment statistics.

There are other options.

We could underwrite struggling regional television and require the inclusion of targeted Maori programming. At the least money would not be wasted on infrastructure but would create new employment possibilities and a talent pool for the future.

Why is $55 million going into infrastructure? What will a couple of outfitted buildings do to benefit Maori? How can we justify the use of taxpayer funds where we have the example of one "Custer's Last Stand" after another?

Only those divorced from any sense of reality and fiscal responsibility could forge ahead regardless of the inevitable collapse of MTS. It is every bit an economic charge of the light brigade led by generals who will undoubtedly shrug their collective shoulders when it all falls apart. Aotearoa Television Network. R.I.P. 1997..... Maori TV. R.I.P. 2004? Mark my words, history will repeat.

ENDS

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