7. State-owned Broadcaster—IndependenceMELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister of Broadcasting Communications and Digital MediaState-owned Broadcaster—Independence7. MELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister of Broadcasting Communications and Digital Media: Does she believe it is important for State-owned broadcasters to be independent?Hon CLARE CURRAN (Minister of Broadcasting Communications and Digital Media): Yes Labour campaigned on a stronger public broadcasting service and believes in the importance of independent media.Melissa Lee: Would the Minister consider a State-owned broadcaster to be acting independently if a ministerial staff member featured as an independent commentator on a Radio New Zealand programme discussing Government policy?Hon CLARE CURRAN: Could the member repeat the question please.Melissa Lee: Would the Minister consider a State-owned broadcaster to be acting independently if a ministerial staff member featured as an independent commentator on a Radio New Zealand programme discussing Government policy?Hon CLARE CURRAN: That's an operational matter for the State-owned—SPEAKER: No no the member will ask the question again.Melissa Lee: Would the Minister consider a State-owned broadcaster to be acting independently if a ministerial staff member featured as an independent commentator on a Radio New Zealand programme discussing Government policy?Hon CLARE CURRAN: State-owned broadcasters as do any other broadcasters make their own decisions about who they have on their programmes.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This is a very serious and important question in fact and I think that the Minister might want to think again about the answer that's just been given—perhaps even the question asked again so the Minister can be quite clear about what has happened here.SPEAKER: I think we've had two cracks at it and I think if we put the two answers together—that it's an operational matter and that the organisations make their own decisions—the question if not answered to the member's satisfaction has been addressed.Greg O'Connor: What work is the Government currently doing that would strengthen the independence of State-owned broadcasters?Hon CLARE CURRAN: I recently announced work being done on the potential formation of a public media funding commission which will be subject to Cabinet approval. The commission is intended to act as an independent non-political voice for media organisations that are in the inevitable but difficult position of holding to account Governments on which they depend for funding. This policy is in contrast to the former Government's policy of severely underfunding public media.Melissa Lee: In light of a previous answer does the Minister believe a State-owned broadcaster would be acting independently if a ministerial staffer was featured as an independent commentator on a Radio New Zealand programme discussing Government policy if it wasn't made clear that they were a political staffer in a ministerial office?Hon CLARE CURRAN: Media organisations make their own determinations as to who they have on their programmes.Melissa Lee: In light of the answer will the Minister be asking the Prime Minister for an explanation as to why a political staffer in the Prime Minister's office appeared on Radio New Zealand's The Panel on 12 February introduced as a representative of Senate Communications when she has not actually worked there for several months?Hon CLARE CURRAN: No.Melissa Lee: What will she say about this questionable independence when she catches up with Radio New Zealand head of content Carol Hirschfeld at their next informal breakfast meeting?Hon CLARE CURRAN: Apart from the fact that that's a ridiculous question having a meeting alone does not breach the independence of State-owned broadcasters. Editorial independence which is outlined in section 13 of Radio New Zealand's Act and section 28 of TVNZ's does not preclude responsible Ministers from meeting with the broadcasters informally or formally to stay informed of their progress.Melissa Lee: As a Minister of broadcasting she has an interest in what is actually happening at Radio New Zealand. Did she know that there was a staffer from the Prime Minister's office masquerading as an independent commentator on a Radio New Zealand programme? Hon CLARE CURRAN: I have no responsibility for that. Melissa Lee: I seek leave to table a transcript of the opening statements of Radio New Zealand's The Panel from 12 February 2018. SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that document being tabled? There appears to be none. It may be tabled. Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Melissa Lee: I seek leave to table evidence proving that the RNZ panellist introduced as a consultant from Senate PR is in fact a contract staffer at the office of the Prime Minister the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern. [Interruption] SPEAKER: Sorry—and was at the time in question?Melissa Lee: Was? SPEAKER: I want it to be made clear—Melissa Lee: She was I believe. SPEAKER: On 12 February. Is there any objection to that evidence being tabled—and I want to make it very clear that's a very high test. Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none. Evidence by leave laid on the Table of the House.