10. Question No. 10—Broadcasting and MediaMELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister for Broadcasting and MediaQuestion No. 10—Broadcasting and Media10. MELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister for Broadcasting and Media: 多谢 Mr Speaker. Does he stand by the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill?Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister for Broadcasting and Media): The Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media Bill seeks to strengthen the delivery of public media services in New Zealand. The media landscape is changing rapidly both here and internationally with increased global competition and changing audience behaviours. The legislation supports the Government's objective to ensure that all New Zealanders can access relevant and trusted public media content across the platforms they use. So the answer is absolutely yes.Melissa Lee: Is he aware that the combined net worth of TVNZ and Radio New Zealand (RNZ) is less than the $370 million he will spend merging the two entities into Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media (ANZPM); if so can he explain how spending more to merge those entities than what they are worth is a good use of taxpayers' money during a cost of living crisis?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Unfortunately that member fails to understand what the problem is. The problem is not about the budgets or the numbers; it's about what's happening in Aotearoa at the moment. So yes we understand all the numbers and the figures but the most important thing here is that we have a changing landscape in terms of the media. We have people disappearing down rabbit holes. We need to have a trusted public media entity—that's the absolute priority—that reflects all New Zealanders. People can't see themselves. They can't hear themselves. They want to see all New Zealanders and hear from all New Zealanders—Māori Pasifika Asian young people. It's not just about the dollars.Melissa Lee: What response does the Minister have to submitters to the select committee who say and I quote The editorial independence guaranteed by the bill is illusionary" and that there is an unacceptable level of ministerial control that transcends anything currently imposed on RNZ and TVNZ?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I say those submitters are wrong. My intention is that the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media should have extremely strong protections in relation to editorial independence. What is in the bill is intended to strengthen the current editorial independence that TVNZ and RNZ have. The Crown entities framework provides a well-tested set of mechanisms to enable entities to be set up at arm's length from the Government while providing clear transparent levers to hold those entities accountable for the delivery of their statutory objectives and other responsibilities. What the Opposition don't understand is that we encourage people and agencies to give feedback. We don't mind criticism. This nonsense about restricting everyone—say that to Ruth Harley who's been very clear about some of her views. Say that to Larry Parr from Te Māngai Pāho. Say that to Māori Radio who cut us no slack. We don't mind criticism. We're not all sensitive like that useless lot across on the other side.Melissa Lee: Does the Minister believe his statement at the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee—and I quote him: "We need them to change their attitude. We need them to understand what we want." is exactly the sort of interference that submitters have raised concerns about—that the editorial independence guaranteed by the bill is illusionary?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: That's a sad statement from the member. I absolutely stand by that comment at the select committee and what we require is a cultural change. Of course that's very hard because 99 percent of the Opposition haven't got any culture so they don't understand what we're talking about. We're trying to bring together a commercial entity and a non-commercial entity and it's not just about the dollars dollars dollars which is all about what the National Party is saying. The member has chosen to interpret my response to the select committee in a very strange ugly and unique way. So I'll be much clearer to her: I'm working really collaboratively with TVNZ at the moment. I have a great relationship with its chief executive Simon Power whose only weakness was that he joined the National Party earlier in his life. TVNZ currently has a commercial focus while the new entity will focus on public media which will require a shift in terms of their view. Why? Because it's not just about the dollars dollars dollars. It's about the people. It's about hearing ourselves. It's about seeing ourselves. We don't just want to look at what the National Party has put up. This is about seeing the new Aotearoa the new New Zealand that the Leader of the Opposition wouldn't have a clue about.Naisi Chen: 谢谢 Mr Speaker. How will New Zealand audiences benefit from the creation of the new public media entity?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: What a wonderful question. [Interruption]—if I could just have a second here. Providing public media services is the prime objective of Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media. This isn't just about entertainment as the National Party would have it. Public media is also about news—independent quality journalism—and for New Zealanders they need entities they can trust. Our culture will be better reflected with more accessible content and entertainment and all New Zealanders—all New Zealanders—will be represented. Our democracy will be better supported through people being able to find trusted news and information and being better informed and our public media system will be fairer with a wide range of New Zealanders including young people having access to relevant content.Melissa Lee: 多谢 Mr Speaker. What exactly is the New Zealand taxpayer during a cost of living crisis getting for the $370 million the new public media entity will cost when the money could instead be used to clear the list of patients waiting for cancer medication with enough left over to address some of the tens of thousands of New Zealanders sitting on the worst surgical wait-list in at least a decade?SPEAKER: In so far as the Minister has responsibility he may answer.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Thank you Mr Speaker. Well we could do a lot of things with a lot of money couldn't we? We can't wait for every social ill to be cured before we invest in our public media. We can't wait. If you apply that type of rationale we'll shut down the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra we'll shut down kapa haka we'll shut down anything and everything till every social ill is fixed. The reality is we have to get on with life. We have to have a symphony orchestra. We have to have a great public media system. We have to have kapa haka. You have to realise there's more to life than numbers and dollars and so don't pull that sort of rubbish on us.Damien Smith: Does he agree with the New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) statement on the TVNZ-RNZ merger that they have significant concerns that the establishment of ANZPM would significantly undermine the sustainability and viability of commercial media; and has any opposition voiced to the merger by NZME Stuff Sky or TVNZ led to any reconsideration of the Government's position on the merger; and does he believe that $109 million in untagged funding for the new public entity is likely in the words of Stuff to grossly distort the market; and what responsibility does he think he has as Minister of broadcasting to leave a thriving competitive market?SPEAKER: Any one of those and only one.Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I think all the questions are good questions and I've met with Stuff and a number of the entities. They're fair questions because there are some worries out there. This entity will survive with collaboration. We need to work in tandem with the different organisations. We may have to work out what is enough in terms of the commercial dollars. Nobody wants to shut out the smaller players. I think the member asked reasonable questions. Some of those questions will be answered through the select committee process."