Gallagher Martin: Broadcasting Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Gallagher Martin: Broadcasting Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:641;Page:11668] 
MARTIN GALLAGHER (Labour—Hamilton West) 
: 
 I think this Broadcasting Amendment Bill is a very good bill. It was interesting to listen to the previous speaker who was the one small voice in the National Party out of 48 who defended Maori Television when it was first established. As I recall National Party members are crystal clear that if they have their way Maori Television will be closed down. Have they made a clear and concise statement of apology to the people of New Zealand for their short-sighted criticism of what is now a wonderful television channel? I have to say that I find it absolutely ironic. Georgina te Heuheu was actually the best member in that caucus then. At least she raised one small voice in favour of Maori Television and I commend her for that. But please do not let me hear criticism of Maori Television content in terms of Television New Zealand (TVNZ) from the party opposite when those members themselves as I understand it have been dedicated to closing down Maori Television. Quite frankly I think their protestations with regard to Maori content on TVNZ ring hollow. 
I compliment the dynamic and energetic Minister of Broadcasting Steve Maharey who is more than equal to all the 48 members—or however many—National has over there in his vision and leadership in this portfolio. I also acknowledge the previous Minister of Broadcasting Marian Hobbs for her energy drive and vision. Obviously this bill is very very important. 
Katrina Shanks 
: Let’s talk about TVNZ failing financially. 
MARTIN GALLAGHER 
: Oh members opposite are asking questions about TVNZ. I challenge them to stand in this House and give an unequivocal public guarantee that TVNZ will survive as a public service broadcaster in this country. The secret agenda is absolutely obvious. National will hock it off. This is the National Party that when in Government as I understand it was going to allow the former Concert Programme on Radio New Zealand to be contracted out. We should look very closely at National’s agenda. Its agenda very clearly would be to get rid of public service broadcasting in this country and certainly to get rid of TVNZ. 
TVNZ is not perfect but certainly it is adapting to and evolving with technology. I think the TVNZ ondemand website is very very good. If we are overseas we can click in and watch TVNZ’s breakfast programmes and its news programmes. I think TVNZ is doing a good job. I do not always agree with some of its programming but so be it. I am one who along with 4 million people from time to time would not agree with some of TVNZ’s programming. 
But instead of the Opposition—including the Wellington-based member—slamming and slagging off TVNZ why do those members not for once in their lives give it a bit of praise? Why do they not acknowledge the enormous creative energy of our public broadcaster in this country instead of slagging it off? The reason they are slagging it off of course in my view is that they are secretly preparing TVNZ for sale should National ever lead a future Government. 
I return to the content of the bill. I am enthusiastic about this bill because it is talking about the new era of broadcasting the new era of communications in this country. I think it is an excellent bill that will take us a step forward in terms of funding mechanisms acknowledging that we are now in the digital age and acknowledging that our children and grandchildren will be accessing our broadcast programming on their cellphones. 
I acknowledge that we are on the edge of digital radio in terms of overseas satellite radio. It is very important that the public the community should be part of that. We should be making sure that public broadcasters community broadcasters are adequately resourced and that even the other free-to-air channels have adequate means to ensure that their content in their programming can be transmitted through this new format. 
The previous speaker correctly talked about audience. I think one of the important things is to make sure that we reach different types of audiences and that is where again digital programming and digital content gives us so much more potential to go for specific audiences. I am a very strong supporter of the wonderful Community Radio Hamilton. Indeed just the other day I clicked into its live-web streaming on the Internet. I say well done to Phil Grey of Community Radio Hamilton; what an excellent radio station it is. I was listening to a young woman doing a youth programme at about 4 o’clock while I was working in my office and I thought how wonderful it was to be able to sit in my office in Wellington and tune into my community radio station—our community radio station in Hamilton—and hear the content. [ 
Interruption 
] I hope  
Hansard 
 records the member for Coromandel’s interjection. Is it not sad that she pooh-poohs these wonderful local initiatives? Frankly she should listen to Community Radio Hamilton and hear what a great service it provides for the Waikato. It is a good example of community broadcasting and I believe that it is those broadcasters that this bill in the medium and long term will help. 
The other positive thing to note is how wonderful it is that Triangle Television is now going up on to the satellite platform so that its particular programming will go right across New Zealand. Again I think this bill will free up the flexibilities of our funding agencies to look at the appropriate assistance for these kinds of public service and community broadcasters—free-to-air broadcasters—to vary their content. 
I know that Georgina te Heuheu supports me in thanking Maori Television. What a wonderful television station it is. Georgina te Heuheu in her heart of hearts would say that she is so sorry that Gerry Brownlee and others pooh-poohed it and were negative about its creation and beginning because it has evolved into a wonderful public service. Even my mother watches  
Ask Your Auntie 
 and all those wonderful programmes. Maori Television is a wonderful example of a creative public service channel. So it is really important that the technology moves with what is happening out there. 
How has all this come about—Maori Television better content for Television New Zealand TVNZ ondemand the growth of community access radio and getting Triangle Television for example on the satellite? Under whose leadership in Government has this occurred? It has occurred under the Labour-led Government. What was the record of the previous National Government? It was maybe going to hock off TVNZ if it had enough time. Certainly it was starting to dismantle and underfund it. This was the crowd that led Radio New Zealand to the wall. We are the Government that has funded public radio that has improved Radio New Zealand funding that has backed community and access radio and that has backed the new technology to ensure that we see ourselves as a country on air through new technology. 
I think this Broadcasting Amendment Bill is a very very good bill. I have to compliment Georgina te Heuheu on her speech which was good until she started to talk a bit negatively and to get a bit negative. She does not actually believe in it herself—she actually likes Steve Maharey. But I think she was making a very good contribution and I compliment her on it. I join with her and Mita Ririnui who is a very good Minister in hailing this legislation and saying that this is a great bill. I envy the members of the Commerce Committee who will be able to get their teeth into this really good bill. This is taking us forward as a country enabling us to see ourselves through the new medium of broadcasting. I think that is very important. I commend this bill.