11. Net Neutrality—Federal Communications Commission AnnouncementMELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister of Broadcasting Communications and Digital MediaNet Neutrality—Federal Communications Commission Announcement11. MELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister of Broadcasting Communications and Digital Media: What are her immediate priorities for the Broadcasting Communications and Digital Media portfolio?Hon CLARE CURRAN (Minister of Broadcasting Communications and Digital Media): There is a great deal of work ahead and my priorities include enhancing the voice of independent non-commercial public service media to increase the variety of media platforms people can access public media to support the people to tell New Zealand stories that reflect and reinforce our unique culture.Melissa Lee: Does the Minister agree that internet freedom and a strong telecommunications system in New Zealand means the freedom to access lawful content the freedom to use applications the freedom to attach personal devices to the network and the freedom to obtain service plan information—and to achieve this the telecommunications sector needs a light-touch regulatory framework under which a free and open internet can thrive?Hon CLARE CURRAN: Yes.Melissa Lee: In light of that answer what official advice has the Minister received on the issue raised by the Federal Communications Commission work on broadband as a common carrier in United States and its applications in the New Zealand context?Hon CLARE CURRAN: I haven't received any advice on that.Melissa Lee: Why does the Minister consider issues around net neutrality so unimportant for New Zealanders?Hon CLARE CURRAN: I'm not sure what that member is getting at and how she could draw that conclusion. Of course net neutrality issues are important for New Zealanders. At this point in time net neutrality is not a significant issue but we are maintaining a watching brief.Raymond Huo: Is public broadcasting one of her immediate priorities?Hon CLARE CURRAN: Thank you Mr Speaker. Yes. And do you know why? This is not you Mr Speaker but the House. This is because thanks to that previous Government New Zealand public broadcasting has among the lowest level of fundings in the OECD. Nine years of funding freezes by the previous Government have presented major challenges for our public media. This Government believes in the value of public broadcasting and I look forward to enhancing the voice of independent public service media.Melissa Lee: What advice has the Minister asked for considering the fact that the Federal Communications Commission announcement is actually today?Hon CLARE CURRAN: If that member is so concerned about that issue she can put it in writing and talk to me about it. [Interruption] Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Brett Hudson: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The question was very simple and direct—Mr SPEAKER: No sorry. I haven't called any member yet. It's very clear who has precedence in this matter.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Thank you Mr Speaker. Look one can be as reasonable as one likes but we cannot have a House where people are allowed to shout out like that—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Right!Rt Hon Winston Peters: Thank you Mr Speaker. That is specifically what I am complaining about. We can't hear a thing over here from the Minister giving a very sound answer because she's being shouted down and I would advise the National Party to just get over themselves and accept what happened.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.Mr SPEAKER: No sorry. I've got something to deal with first and that is the member had a very good point of order and he was being very helpful right up to the final phrase and can I ask him to use his experience in the House to help settle it down not to wind it up.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Well speaking to that point of order Mr Speaker—Mr SPEAKER: No well there is no point of order left at the moment.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Well in that case I'll ask you a new point of order. I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Noting that the Deputy Prime Minister just used a point of order to talk about the way in which the House should react in certain circumstances is it going to be your ruling that when people do give points of order they do not use ironic expressionsMr SPEAKER: Well I think actually Mr Brownlee I did. I commented on the unhelpfulness of the expression at the end—Hon Gerry Brownlee: No no that was—Mr SPEAKER: I certainly did and—Hon Gerry Brownlee: No it was before that.Mr SPEAKER: Oh well if it was another one before that. I'm probably immune to them and missed it.Brett Hudson: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Sorry the member's supplementary question to the Minister referred to a matter that's in the public domain—a decision that is anticipated—and it simply asked if the Minister had requested any information. We'd like her to answer the question.Mr SPEAKER: And it might have been that the member was interested in the answer. If he was interested in the answer he would have got his colleagues to be quiet.