Key John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Key John: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:629;Page:1147] 
10.  
JOHN KEY (National—Helensville) 
 to the  
Minister of Broadcasting 
: Is he concerned by the decision of the board of Television New Zealand to strip former chief executive Ian Fraser of his remaining duties because of comments he made to the Finance and Expenditure Committee; if not why not? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Broadcasting) 
: 
 I understand that the Finance and Expenditure Committee has met today to discuss correspondence from both the Television New Zealand chair and Mr Fraser. I also understand that the committee is expecting to raise the issue with the Speaker as there is no clear answer on the events that took place. I am further advised that Television New Zealand has withdrawn its allegation of serious misconduct towards Mr Fraser. 
John Key 
: What information did he receive as Minister from the board in advance of the proposal to punish Mr Fraser for the comments that he made in front of the Finance and Expenditure Committee? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: None. The chairperson simply advised me that it had been done. 
Jill Pettis 
: Can the Minister advise the House of any proposed changes to the board of Television New Zealand? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: In December I had the pleasure of announcing the appointment of Sir John Anderson who has now joined the Television New Zealand board as the chair designate. It is intended that Sir John will become the chair of Television New Zealand in April when the current chair Craig Boyce finishes his term. 
John Key 
: Why was the Minister not informed of the board’s intention when this is in direct contravention of the “no surprises” policy where Crown company boards are to inform Ministers in advance of anything contentious; what action will he be taking against the board on this account? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: This was seen by the board as strictly an employment matter; therefore it took legal advice and advised me at the time that it sent the letter. 
John Key 
: Does he believe that the actions taken by Television New Zealand in relation to Mr Fraser were appropriate; if he does not does he still have confidence in the board of Television New Zealand? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I have confidence in the board as a hard-working and conscientious group of people. The matters of employment are in their hands; they are not in mine. 
John Key 
: Does the Minister think it reflects badly on the governance of Television New Zealand that the Finance and Expenditure Committee this morning voted unanimously to send this matter to the Speaker for consideration as a breach of privilege; if not why not? 
Hon Dr Michael Cullen 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. Has that been announced publicly by the chair of the select committee or in fact is that still a matter not in the public arena? 
John Key 
: It has. 
Hon Dr Michael Cullen 
: If it has then there is no difficulty. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Has there been a public announcement of the decision by the chair of the select committee? 
John Key 
: I take it that when Shane Jones is surrounded by cameras coming out of the committee and the select committee announces that we have put out an announcement that would be the case. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I ask the chairperson to confirm whether it is a matter of public record. 
Shane Jones 
: A formal press statement will be released after this session. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: So it has not been released yet? 
Shane Jones 
: Not a formal press statement no. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: But the decision of the committee has been released into the public arena. 
Shane Jones 
: The decision of the committee has been reached. Both Mr Key and I have been interviewed about it by the media. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. The simple question is whether the chairman has confirmed to any media outlet that this course of action is under way. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: I take it from what the chair said that that was presumably the subject of the press conference that Mr Key and Mr Jones gave. Is that correct? 
Shane Jones 
: It is correct. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: It is correct. Then we will proceed. 
John Key 
: I made it very clear to the chairman that he would be interviewed coming out of the select committee in relation to this matter. 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I understand that the matter has been referred to the Speaker’s office because the Clerk’s advice was that there were a number of grey areas that would benefit from that advice being received by the committee. That is what I understand is going on. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. That raises an issue that I also ran across when chairing a select committee in the past in that a committee can make a resolution that a press statement will be issued. It does not necessarily get issued even that day. Cameras are sometimes waiting outside knowing that the matter is on the committee’s agenda. I wonder what guidance there is for chairs about whether they must remain mum until the press release has formally gone out which is a matter that the clerk of the committee usually deals with. Sometimes members are not aware when the press release has been issued and when it has still to be issued. I think there is a risk that members may be caught in a breach of privilege and some clarity would be helpful. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: As I understand it when the chair is authorised by the committee to make a statement and that statement is made on leaving the committee formally or informally it is made. But I accept the point the member raises. It would be a useful one to discuss at a meeting of the chairs of select committees so there is clarity about how to proceed in those circumstances.