Thursday 17th Feb 2000
Penny Webster
Media Release -- Other

Helen Clark's suggestion that the new head of the TVNZ Board would remove the chief executive's powers to negotiate salaries is absurd, says ACT Broadcasting spokesman Penny Webster.

Mrs Webster was responding to the Prime Minister statement in this morning's Dominion that she expects the new head of the TVNZ board would want to remove the power of the chief executive to negotiate high salaries.

"Miss Clark has suggested an absurd idea. It has no precedent in recent history of New Zealand board organisation," Mrs Webster said.

"Boards are entrusted to provide governance, set policy direction and approve budgets, whereas chief cxecutives are in charge of operational matters and never the twain shall meet.

"This separation exists for legal, practical and good common sense reasons. This suggested interference by the board undermines the authority of the chief executive and must be viewed with concern," Mrs Webster said.

Ends

Contact Penny Webster 025302006 or Kathryn Asare 04 4706637

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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