The Commerce Select Committee has had to step in and demand action over the Hawkesby affair because the Prime Minister and Minister of Broadcasting have wimped out, says National's Broadcasting spokeswoman Katherine Rich.

"No heads will roll at Television New Zealand management over the $6 million Hawkesby payout despite Prime Minister Helen Clark's pledge.

"In February Miss Clark called the Hawkesby payout a disgrace and obscene. She called for heads to roll. Where are the heads?"

The Commerce Committee report into the 98/99 Financial Review of TVNZ says:

"We believe further investigation by the board is required to ascertain if someone at TVNZ should be held accountable for this extremely unfortunate and regrettable episode in the country's history."

"...it seems to us that senior management must also bear some significant responsibility. The chief executive is on record as expressing regret at the decision."

"National Select Committee Members had to step in and force TVNZ management to answer the tough questions that the Prime Minister refused to ask.

"In February Miss Clark was Murphy Brown but today she is Mavis from Coronation Street," says Katherine Rich.

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