Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb and Ilam MP Hamish Campbell joined Chris Lynch for this week’s political panel, tackling the big stories making headlines — from Te Pāti Māori’s internal meltdown and the future of the Broadcasting Standards Authority, to a shocking prison wedding and plans for a new supermarket in St Albans.
Calls to rein in the BSA
The discussion opened with questions over whether the Broadcasting Standards Authority has gone too far after suggesting it could regulate online broadcasters like The Platform.
Labour MP Duncan Webb said the BSA still had an important role in ensuring accuracy in news content. “Information presented as news should meet some standards because we want it to be accurate,” he said. “The question is how we achieve that in the modern media environment.”
Webb said the law may need updating to reflect new platforms but stopped short of calling for the regulator to be scrapped. “We probably need to have a look at what its reach should be, but we do need standards,” he said.
National’s Hamish Campbell agreed there was a growing problem with misinformation online. “There are plenty of people pretending to be newscasters on TikTok who say the most appalling things — and people believe it,” he said. “Younger generations are getting their news from social media, so it’s right we talk about how that’s policed.”
Both MPs agreed that while the BSA’s jurisdiction was worth reviewing, some kind of system for accountability was necessary.
Prison weddings spark outrage
The panel also discussed Chris Lynch Media’s exclusive story revealing a convicted child sex offender serving an 18-and-a-half-year sentence at Rolleston Prison was allowed to get married behind bars.
Campbell said the decision was “weird” and “objectionable.” “If you’ve done the crime, you do the time,” he said. “You lose some rights when you’re in prison. It just doesn’t sit right with most people.”
Webb said he understood public frustration but defended the right to marry. “Being locked in a six-square-metre cell for 21 hours a day is a tough punishment,” he said. “If forming a supportive relationship helps someone reintegrate and not reoffend, I don’t see a problem with that.”
Te Pāti Māori and standards in Parliament
The MPs also weighed in on Speaker Gerry Brownlee’s plan to tighten parliamentary rules following disruptions during a Te Pāti Māori maiden speech this week.
Campbell said the behaviour was disrespectful. “Parliament is a serious place that does serious things,” he said. “When agreed procedures are ignored, it’s a problem. We need to bring some respect back to the House.”
Webb agreed MPs should behave professionally but said debate should not get bogged down in appearance. “MPs come from all walks of life,” he said. “The key thing is respectful conduct and following the process you’ve agreed to.”
Campbell said Te Pāti Māori appeared “in total chaos” and predicted the movement could split in two. “It’s up to Labour to rule out working with them,” he said.
Webb rejected that, saying the Government’s own actions had fuelled division. “We’ve got the Treaty Principles Bill, tax breaks for tobacco companies, and the removal of co-governance — that’s what’s stoking anger,” he said.
Campbell fired back, saying the Government was focused on improving life for everyone. “We’re lifting education standards and living conditions for all New Zealanders, Māori and non-Māori alike,” he said. “That’s not an attack on Māori.”
Green light for St Albans supermarket
The panel wrapped up with a lighter topic — Woolworths’ plan to build a new supermarket and retail centre on Madras Street in St Albans.
Webb said the decision followed proper process and would benefit the community. “It’s good to see it finally go ahead,” he said. “Though it’s a pity it’s another big chain instead of an independent supermarket offering real competition.”
Campbell said the project was a win for shoppers. “More supermarkets mean more competition,” he said. “Food prices are still too high, so we need developments like this.”
