Taxpayers to stump up for political broadcasts

Taxpayers are set to foot the bill for more political broadcasts on television.

Prime Minister Helen Clark is due to reveal Cabinet decisions on the funding of live broadcasting of Parliament and state-funded election advertising.

Ministers have been considering a select committee recommendation of a 55 per cent increase in the amount parties receive for election broadcasting, taking the budget from $2 million to $3.2 million.

Helen Clark also said an announcement would be made shortly on Government funding of filming and broadcasting parliamentary proceedings.

A report last year by Parliament's standing orders select committee recommended MPs fund and take control of filming in Parliament's debating chamber.

It recommended banning other broadcasters from filming, but allowing them to use the in-house broadcasts free of charge.

Total establishment costs were estimated to be up to $2 million, with ongoing operational costs of up to $600,000.

However, the report also wanted to see Parliament broadcast continuously over a dedicated channel. At present, only question time is broadcast on a Sky channel.

Media groups have argued that they should be allowed to have their own film crews in Parliament but the committee said facilities would be too crowded.

- NZPA