National Party Arts, Culture and Heritage Spokeswoman

26 October 2004

Arts Minister must say if River Queen to fly or sink

The Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Helen Clark, needs to front up to taxpayers and reassure them that their investment in the film River Queen isn't about to be flushed down the river, National MP Georgina te Heuheu says.

Mrs te Heuheu was referring to news that filming has been delayed yet again, this time by the termination of director Vincent Ward's contract.

"No doubt the private investors in this production will be asking the hard questions about the cost of further delays.

"In the same way, taxpayers are entitled to know that their investment, which constitutes more than a quarter of the $20 million project, is secure", Mrs te Heuheu says.

"The Minister must front up and tell taxpayers whether or not their money is safe."

ENDS

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