Minister criticises party he went to

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman. Photo / Mark MItchell

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman is under fire for attending a tax payer-funded New Zealand On Air party and then criticising it for spending too much money.

The party cost $50,800 of taxpayer money, about $212 a head for the 235 people who went to it, TV3 News reported tonight.

The band Shihad came over from Australia to perform and chief executive Jane Wrightson said it was a "thank you" party to recognise 21 great years of Kiwi music.

Dr Coleman was photographed at the party but when he was asked about it he seemed to think it hadn't been a good idea.

"We have just been through a recession and New Zealanders would be expecting all public money to be accounted for and to be spent prudently," he said.

"I think that there are some questions that New Zealand On Air has to answer."

Labour's broadcasting spokesman, Brendon Burns, questioned the minister's judgment.

"Jonathan Coleman agreed we are experiencing recessionary times and now says there are questions for New Zealand On Air to answer," he said.

"But that didn't stop him attending the function...he is too busy snaffling the canapes and not delivering a vision for the future of broadcasting."

But a spokesman for Dr Coleman said any criticism of the minister for doing his job and attending such functions was unfair.

He had not signed off the expenses for the function and, as the shareholding minister, was asked to deliver a speech.

"Ministers attend these things all the time. It is unfair to criticise him when he is doing his job."

- NZPA