Clayton Mitchell's crusade to have big sports games televised free-to-air has reached a crucial stage.
The Tauranga-based New Zealand First MP's proposed law is scheduled to have its first reading in Parliament this evening, ending with a vote that will either see it blocked or allowed to proceed. Under the proposal, taxpayers would fund the broadcasting of "nationally significant" events involving rugby, league, netball, cricket and other codes.
The idea has been praised for letting more people watch sports on television but has been criticised for making taxpayers foot the bill and for potentially reducing the amount of broadcast money that major sports teams can demand on the open market.
Mr Mitchell yesterday said he believed it was "completely wrong" that people who couldn't afford a Sky subscription missed out on watching big games.
"Having live sport on television is not a big ask," he said. "New Zealand had it before, and our bill will make sure we can have it again."
