TVNZ must clarify if Fraser got golden handshake

Television New Zealand must clarify if they have withheld the $300,000 they planned to pay outgoing chief executive Ian Fraser, says National Party Finance spokesman John Key.

He was reacting to a Sunday newspaper report that Mr Fraser is filing a personal grievance case against the TVNZ board after it stripped him of his remaining duties and accused him of “serious misconduct” for speaking out at a select committee.

“I have already written to the Clerk of the House, Dave McGee, about this outrageous intimidation by the TVNZ board.

“The question now is, if they have sacked him, are they still paying him?

“The fact that he has now filed a personal grievance suggests they have stopped paying him. And if they haven’t stopped, he’s getting a golden handshake which is something Labour has been trying to avoid with public servants.

“The TVNZ board needs to clarify these questions. I will certainly be raising the issue on Wednesday when the finance and expenditure committee next discusses its inquiry into TVNZ.”

Mr Key last week wrote to Mr McGee complaining about the treatment meted out to Mr Fraser by the board after Mr Fraser spoke out at the select committee inquiry last year.

“The board’s reaction should send a chill down the spine of every MP. Quasi public servants and public servants should be able to tell the truth to select committees without fear of retribution.”

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