The Commerce Select Committee has had to step in and demand action over the Hawkesby affair because the Prime Minister
and Minister of Broadcasting have wimped out, says National's Broadcasting spokeswoman Katherine Rich.
"No heads will roll at Television New Zealand management over the $6 million Hawkesby payout despite Prime Minister
Helen Clark's pledge.
"In February Miss Clark called the Hawkesby payout a disgrace and obscene. She called for heads to roll. Where are the
heads?"
The Commerce Committee report into the 98/99 Financial Review of TVNZ says:
"We believe further investigation by the board is required to ascertain if someone at TVNZ should be
held accountable for this extremely unfortunate and regrettable episode in the country's history."
"...it seems to us that senior management must also bear some significant responsibility. The chief
executive is on record as expressing regret at the decision."
"National Select Committee Members had to step in and force TVNZ management to answer the tough questions that the Prime
Minister refused to ask.
"In February Miss Clark was Murphy Brown but today she is Mavis from Coronation Street," says Katherine Rich.
Ends