Government Administration Committee

Inquiry into captioning in New Zealand

Hon Ruth Dyson, Chairperson of the Government Administration Committee announced today that the Government Administration Committee has initiated an inquiry into captioning in New Zealand.

The terms of reference for the inquiry are:

• International comparisons of captioning access

• Issues around royalties and intellectual property

• Legislation and regulation in terms of export of films (import to New Zealand)

• Public education/attitude towards captioning

• Responsibility for the provision of captioning (e.g. comparison with the Relay Service, an obligation under the Telecommunications provisions for Telecommunications companies to provide)

• Requirements under existing legislation and regulation in relation to advertising

• Potential for Captioning Watchdog (as in the United Kingdom)

And other related matters which may arise.

The committee is calling for the public to make submissions on the inquiry. The closing date for submissions is Thursday, 28 July 2016.

Committee Chairperson Hon Ruth Dyson encourages the public to submit on the inquiry. “I am very pleased to announce that the Government Administration Committee has resolved to conduct an inquiry into captioning. Captioning is also the subject of a petition which has recently been sent to our committee to consider. When recently in Australia on an exchange visit, the committee heard and learnt a lot about the provision of captioning there and will be able to put this information to good use when conducting the inquiry and considering the petition. We look forward to submissions, particularly from Deaf and hearing impaired people on these issues.”

Submissions should be made online using our website at www.parliament.nz, or via post to the address below. If a submitter wishes to appear before the committee, this needs to be clearly stated, and a contact name, daytime phone number, and email address provided. Submissions generally become public are and published on the Parliament website. For further guidance on making a submission, please refer to our publication Making a submission to a Parliamentary Select Committee, available on our website.

Government Administration Select Committee, Parliament Buildings, WELLINGTON 6160.

ENDS

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