Minister's BSA complaint against TV3 to go ahead

Paula Bennett. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A complaint by Social Welfare Minister Paula Bennett over a TV3 news item in April which claimed she offered money to a solo mum and beneficiary in exchange for dropping a privacy complaint is to go ahead, after the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) ruled her initial letter to TV3 counted as a formal complaint.

The decision split the BSA, with one member, Leigh Pearson, disagreeing with the chairman, Peter Radich, and other members.

Natasha Fuller, a Hamilton single mother of three, took a privacy complaint against Ms Bennett last year after the minister released full details of what state support she and another solo mum received.

Ms Fuller was among a group of sole parents who complained to the Herald on Sunday last year about the axing of the training incentive allowance, which she said stopped her from doing her from doing her early childhood studies. In response, Ms Bennett revealed that Ms Fuller was receiving $715 weekly and $9500 for a failed business venture, and details about other beneficiaries.

The two subsequently met in an attempt by the Privacy Commissioner to mediate a solution, and in April, TV3 reported comments from Ms Fuller on Facebook suggesting a monetary settlement had been discussed if she dropped the case - a claim that Ms Bennett's office denied. Ms Fuller subsequently told TV3 she had been "lying and joking" about the compensation comments.

Ms Bennett then wrote to TV3, seeking an apology for the item, which she said was not fair, accurate or balanced - a claim rejected by TV3`s head of news, Mark Jennings.

Ms Bennett in mid-July complained to the BSA but was initially told it had come outside the 20 working day timeframe for complaints. However, Ms Bennett said her original letter to TV3 should be regarded as a formal complaint.

BSA this month decided her complaint could go ahead, although it was a split decision.

BSA chairman Peter Radich was overseas and could not be contacted for comment. Its chief executive Dominic Sheehan said he could not comment on the decision but did confirm that Ms Bennett's complaint would be considered when the BSA next meets in late October or December, unless TV3 appealed its decision to hear it.

A TV3 spokesman said tonight a final decision about appealing had not yet been made.

Ms Fuller's complaint has since been referred to the Director of the Office of Human Rights Proceedings, part of the Human Rights Commission, after Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff was unable to resolve it. She said the complaint had "substance".

Spokesman for the Office of Human Rights Proceedings Gilbert Wong said the director Robert Hesketh was currently awaiting submissions from lawyers for both Ms Fuller and Ms Bennett, expected in the next fortnight.

The director may then either direct them to further mediation, or else refer it to the Human Rights Review Tribunal, a legal body which had the power to make rulings and order compensation or other penalties.

- NZPA