The proposal before Cabinet to waste taxpayer funds on a state-funded 'youth' radio station should be dismissed, ACT MP Penny Webster said today.

"Broadcasting Minister Mrs Hobbs promises an announcement on 'youth' radio within two weeks. That announcement should say the market is sufficiently catered for.

"Laila Harre's push for a state youth radio station is politically-correct and Alliance vote-catching.

"The radio industry is already saturated with stations aiming for the youth market - a state-owned station would undermine private enterprise's profits.

"First the Government spent millions on a Maori TV channel, and now they are contemplating wasting another $4 million or so on a youth radio station. When will they be satisfied? Will we eventually have separate, state-run channels and stations for every different group in the country? Greypower, women, Hamiltonians, Asians' the list goes on.

"Why does this Government have to be involved in everything? Even the Minister has admitted that advertising is hard to get. Why is she making it even harder for private enterprise? Is this the Knowledge Wave?

"For goodness sake, get real - stay out of this one," Mrs Webster said.

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