John Key MP National Party Finance Spokesman & Hon. Georgina te Heuheu MP National Party Broadcasting Spokeswoman

16 November 2005

National looking ahead to robust review into TVNZ

National Party Broadcasting spokeswoman Georgina te Heuheu is pleased that the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee has accepted the call for a review of TVNZ.

"I'm hoping for a robust and thorough select committee review into the problems at TVNZ, a review which the Government said was not necessary.

"They are mistaken.

"TVNZ is an important public asset. The confidence in the management of that asset has been shaken and I think that we, as taxpaying shareholders, deserve to know what's going wrong," says Mrs te Heuheu.

National Party Finance spokesman and select committee member John Key says he expects the committee will seek evidence from a wide group of key people.

"If some of those people refuse to appear, then I expect to seek the support of select committee members and the Speaker to subpoena them."

There are a number of issues the National Party will ask questions about, including:

* Board governance - alleged political interference
* Management - the Fraser/Ralston contracts
* Staff - Wood/Bailey/Holmes
* Financial Position - dividend/value/ratings/advertising/charter

"I think it's important we get this review completed quickly, to avoid further disruption and damage to staff morale at the state broadcaster," the MPs say.

ENDS

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