Convention Centre decision should be a no-brainer

Bartering for economic gains and playing favourites with corporations is not the role of responsible government says Labour’s Internal Affairs spokesperson Ruth Dyson.

“The Government, in its negotiations with Sky City should not have resorted to bartering to finalise the conditions of a convention centre in Auckland,” Ruth Dyson said.

“This process is a race to the bottom. Sky City wants 500 pokie machines in the new convention centre, the government is bargaining with 350. Both parties miss the point.

“This is a risk-exchange where communities, already vehemently opposed to more pokie machines, stand to lose-out.

“The most vulnerable in our society must not be left shouldering the risk corporations are not willing to take on.

“Frankly it’s a really bad way to conduct public policy,” Ruth Dyson said. “It promotes the Government’s naïve idea that these ‘public’ facilities are ‘free’.

“In fact the social cost for Aucklanders affected by the ramifications of problem gambling will be significant.

“Reducing the risks of problem gambling should be a no-brainer.

“John Key’s government has become reliant on the glitz of commercial projects to boost the perception that it is performing.

“National bent the rules for Warner Brothers, MediaWorks and Telecom in its first term, granting regulatory concessions for economic gains that should have been negotiated with diplomacy, not backroom deals,” Ruth Dyson said.