Attempts by a Glenorchy resident to film the Milford Dart Ltd (MDL) response to the Department of Conservation's hearings panel in Queenstown yesterday were thwarted by the company, after its legal counsel lodged an objection.
About 50 submitters attended yesterday's hearing and one, Vladka Kennett, set up a video camera on a tripod and began filming proceedings when MDL counsel Jo Appleyard, of Chapman Tripp, was reading her legal right of reply to the panel.
Ms Appleyard lodged an objection to the recording after her reply, prompting outcries from many members of the public.
Ms Appleyard contended Mrs Kennett was not an accredited member of the media, therefore not bound by the guidelines and standards of accredited media.
Mrs Kennett contended it was a "public hearing" and therefore there was nothing wrong with filming MDL's response to the panel, particularly given many people from the Glenorchy community had wanted to attend, but were unable to.
"If Milford Dart and the lawyer have nothing to hide and nothing to be secretive about, then what's the problem?" another submitter asked.
Ms Appleyard replied "We don't consent to it and therefore you can't do it".
One man argued a "precedent" had been set by the hearings panel during the public submissions, when panel chairman Paul Green and Ms Visser recorded submitters speaking.
In most cases, submitters were told they would be recorded and notes would also be taken.
After a short adjournment the hearings panel and MDL representatives had a whispered discussion about the filming.
When asked by another submitter if the discussion could be held in the open, Mr Green responded "no".
He then announced permission had not been sought by Mrs Kennett to film the proceedings and he had had no opportunity to investigate if filming was appropriate.
"I'm going to make a decision it should not be recorded.
