1. GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) Link to this
to the Minister of Broadcasting
What reports has he received about Television New Zealand’s alleged involvement in providing satellite news gathering equipment to facilitate Commodore Frank Bainimarama’s announcing live-to-air his overthrow of the Fijian Government from the Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Suva, on Tuesday of this week?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) Link to this
I think the member’s question does not represent fairly what Television New Zealand (TVNZ) did. During Commodore Bainimarama’s broadcast, TVNZ was the only news organisation present with cameras. Fiji TV was present but did not have a camera. TVNZ was requested to provide feed for a range of other news organisations that were present, as is quite common in these circumstances, including Fiji. A news organisation covering an event of public significance is not necessarily commenting on whether it approves of that. Its duty is to report information of public significance. Clearly, the coup is a matter of great public significance, both in Fiji and in New Zealand.
Does the Minister think it credible for him to answer that Fiji TV was present at the commodore’s request without a camera; secondly, does he think it reasonable that, outside of the normal broadcasting times, TVNZ allowed the commodore to broadcast live to the world the fact of his intention to overthrow a democratically elected Government—was that good judgment on the part of TVNZ?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I am not advised that that is the case. I am advised that other news organisations sought permission to use TVNZ’s visual coverage. For example, had a TVNZ news camera been present to observe Dr Jonathan Coleman blowing smoke at and insulting, using obscene language, a woman, I hope that TVNZ would have had the courage to show that on the news, to show the character of the member.
Madam SPEAKERHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I apologise. I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Are you saying I cannot refer to that member’s conduct as being inappropriate?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
And that TVNZ should have censored such a matter, if he had been filmed doing it? He has got away with it only because it was not filmed.
No, that is enough. [ Interruption] No, there are no more supplementary questions. I refer members to Standing Order 379(3).
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I request that you consider allowing me to ask my supplementary question again, because it is a pattern with this Government that whenever it gets embarrassed it just goes off and creates some smokescreens.
That is not a point—[ Interruption] Please be seated! Leave is being sought for another supplementary question. The member is entitled to seek leave of the House for anything. Are you seeking leave for that? That is my understanding.
If I sought leave, I would expect it to be declined. I am asking you to consider the answer that Dr Cullen gave, and the relevance of it to addressing a question about Fiji—
No, I am sorry; would the member please be seated. I asked the Minister to withdraw and apologise, and he did. I dealt with it at the time. [ Interruption] No, he addressed that question.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I just want to indicate to the member that if he does seek leave for a further supplementary question, the Labour Party will not object. We do not mind that when we are winning.
Darren HughesI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. During that interchange Tau Henare made a very unparliamentary comment about the Deputy Prime Minister for which he should be asked to withdraw and apologise.
Hon Tau HenareHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Speaking to the point of order, I say that the member accused me of being a liar when I said that Dr Jonathan Coleman had blown smoke in a woman’s face and insulted her with obscene language. [ Interruption]
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I do not think the Hansard record will show that I accused the Deputy Prime Minister of being a liar.
Hon Jim AndertonI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. We have all just heard the Deputy Prime Minister being accused twice. That is completely unacceptable to the House. Mr Tau Henare should apologise and withdraw, or he should leave the Chamber.
I did not hear it, either, but I thank you for assuring the House of that—there was too much noise. The member has withdrawn and apologised.
Leave is sought to ask a further supplementary question. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
Why did the State broadcaster decide to turn up to Queen Elizabeth Barracks at the request of Frank Bainimarama, who had no authority to direct anybody other than the threat that he was about to overthrow a Government; and was it good judgment on the part of the broadcaster to assist him in broadcasting his message not only to the Fijian people but to the whole world?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
A press conference was held. Whether or not the person engaged in that was engaged in actions that anybody in this House would approve of is irrelevant to a news organisation being present. News organisations cover all kinds of horrible events. What the member is arguing is that Television New Zealand should have engaged in self-censorship on a matter of international public importance. I might add to that that any picture of Commodore Bainimarama giving a press conference is not likely to help the commodore’s case.