5. Question No. 5—Media and CommunicationsHon WILLIE JACKSON (Labour) to the Minister for Media and CommunicationsQuestion No. 5—Media and Communications5. Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Labour) to the Minister for Media and Communications: Does she stand by all her statements and actions?Hon MELISSA LEE (Minister for Media and Communications): Yes.Hon Willie Jackson: What actions if any has she taken to support the media sector in light of job losses at Newshub and Television New Zealand?Hon MELISSA LEE: The Government is committed to working with the sector on ways to ensure sustainability. As I have previously stated the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill is currently before select committee and I'm awaiting the committee's report. I'm working with officials to modernise the media system in New Zealand to level the playing field for our local broadcasters. I want to encourage more private and international investment in our local content.Reuben Davidson: Does she agree with the comment of David Seymour that These are the people that cry 'Oh you've got to give us sympathy and you're inhumane and you should be kinder to us.' " and if not why not?Hon MELISSA LEE: The Hon David Seymour has his own views and he is responsible for his comments. As a shareholding Minister it would be irresponsible for me to interfere in TVNZ's editorial independence. I believe and honour TVNZ's editorial independence. The media perform an important duty in our democracy and this should be protected. What I think we should be focusing on is the people who are facing uncertainty over their jobs and livelihoods and not squabbling over he said she said. It is ironic to actually get this question from that member considering his colleague when as Minister was making comments about a presenter on Q + A.Hon Willie Jackson: Does the Minister think singling out reporters for doing their job is appropriate and if so—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Wait on. Mr Jackson if you don't mind when I ask you to please stop. Hon Simeon Brown: Own goal!Hon Willie Jackson: Throw him out Mr Speaker!SPEAKER: It's not far off. If we're having a rule—and we are—that questions are asked in silence observe it. Contain yourselves with perhaps a deep breath and holding until the end of it—something like that. But we're not going to have those sorts of outbursts in the middle of questions. Start again.Hon Willie Jackson: Thank you Mr Speaker. Does the Minister believe singling out reporters for doing their job is appropriate and if so has she spoken with David Seymour who is one of the senior Ministers about respecting the independence of the fourth estate?Hon MELISSA LEE: I believe and honour all editorial independence of our media because they perform an important duty in our democracy and that should be protected. In terms of the comment I think as I said previously it is ironic to watch this member ask this question given his previous interview on Q + A.Hon Willie Jackson: Point of order. We're talking about a shareholding Minister here; we're not talking about me when I was a previous Minister. The question is very relevant. Can you ask this Minister to answer or address the question.SPEAKER: Well most certainly the question is being addressed. How it's being addressed may not find favour with everyone in the House but it is also rife within Speakers' Rulings that it is not unreasonable for Ministers of a successive Government to point out situations that existed in a previous Government. It's the attack aspect that's the problem. Carry on.Hon Simeon Brown: Point of order. I seek leave for the member to be able to ask his question again.SPEAKER: No you can't seek leave for someone else. Can I just say that is very disorderly. You cannot seek leave for another member and that member does know that's the case.Hon Kieran McAnulty: Mr Speaker point of order. Thank you Mr Speaker. [Interruption]SPEAKER: In silence.Hon Kieran McAnulty: Regardless of whether you agreed with the point of order made by the Hon Willie Jackson or not throughout that there was the exact response that you asked the Government not to do whilst questions were being asked. If we're going to require points of order to be heard in silence they should be made to be heard in silence.SPEAKER: Good point.Hon Willie Jackson: What impression does the Minister think she gives out to those who'll be losing their jobs at Television New Zealand and Newshub that at the exact time she was refusing to do media she was attending a luxury resort on the taxpayers' dollar—what is the impression she gives out to the public and to all the poor people who've been losing their jobs? And here's this beautiful photo for everyone—SPEAKER: Thank you—is that the end of the question?Hon Willie Jackson: —to have a look at. What was the impression that she's giving out to the public—SPEAKER: That's enough. You've gone way over the top.Hon MELISSA LEE: That is the substance of the previous Government. That member does not even know that that photo was taken at the New Zealand Open and I was there as the Minister responsible for funding the Major Events Fund. However at the time when the announcement was made this morning I was in my office doing work but yesterday I did not actually see the announcement alert that came to my office because I was doing an interview with one of the media companies.Hon Willie Jackson: Point of order again Mr Speaker. The question is clear: what impression is she giving to the public when she should've been doing her job and—SPEAKER: No I'm sorry—Mr Jackson I'm sorry; the problem here is that your question has been refuted in its content by the Minister so there is no further action to be taken."