Live politics blog 28 Nov
Peters continues to make extraordinary allegations against news organisations
ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has continued to make unsubstantiated claims of bribery and corruption against the media.
These claims continued even inside the Cabinet room, as the first Cabinet meeting of the Luxon-led Government got underway.
Luxon and the National Party invited political reporters to the Cabinet room, on the Beehive's 10th floor, to see the ministers gather together for the first time under the 54th Parliament.
Luxon kept discussion to small talk, but Peters decided to take a parting swipe.
These claims continued even inside the Cabinet room, as the first Cabinet meeting of the Luxon-led Government got underway.
Luxon and the National Party invited political reporters to the Cabinet room, on the Beehive's 10th floor, to see the ministers gather together for the first time under the 54th Parliament.
Luxon kept discussion to small talk, but Peters decided to take a parting swipe.
“Before you go, can you possibly tell the public what you had to sign up to to get the money? Before you ask one more question, tell the public what you signed up to to get the money,” Peters said.
Peters continued: “It’s called transparency!”
Then Luxon wrapped up the conversation, asking photographers if they had what they needed. “Ready to go? Great. Thank you.”
Peters' remark refers to the Public Interest Journalism Fund, a three-year $55 million contestable fund made available by the government in 2020 to support news media through the pandemic. The fund was intended to shore up public interest media and political coverage was exempted from eligibility. Applicants were asked to show a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including a commitment to te reo Māori.
His comments followed attacks against the credibility of TVNZ and RNZ, both state-owned broadcasters, on Monday.
After being sworn in as deputy prime minister at Government House, Peters hit out at the broadcasters saying: “You can’t defend $55 million bribery. No, no, you cannot defend $55 million of bribery. Get it very clear."
All news organisations were able to apply for the funding, and many did - including community newspapers and large broadcasters. Peters has produced no evidence showing corruption.
Peters' remark refers to the Public Interest Journalism Fund, a three-year $55 million contestable fund made available by the government in 2020 to support news media through the pandemic. The fund was intended to shore up public interest media and political coverage was exempted from eligibility. Applicants were asked to show a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including a commitment to te reo Māori.
His comments followed attacks against the credibility of TVNZ and RNZ, both state-owned broadcasters, on Monday.
After being sworn in as deputy prime minister at Government House, Peters hit out at the broadcasters saying: “You can’t defend $55 million bribery. No, no, you cannot defend $55 million of bribery. Get it very clear."
All news organisations were able to apply for the funding, and many did - including community newspapers and large broadcasters. Peters has produced no evidence showing corruption.