Ruth

DYSON

Internal Affairs Spokesperson

19 February 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT
Sky City’s special treatment - bad public policy

A report into the Government’s pokie-for-convention-centre deal shows the tender process up for what it was – a sham, says Labour’s Internal Affairs spokesperson Ruth Dyson.

“In it, the Deputy Auditor General notes; ‘we do not consider that the evaluation process was transparent or even-handed’ and that overall it was ‘poorly planned and executed’.

“New Zealanders knew that a year ago. John Key had his sights set on a deal with Sky City from the start.

“Trading legislation in the name of economic growth is just bad policy. It is not how New Zealanders do business, and it shouldn’t be part of what the government is hinging its ‘brighter future’ on.

“The convention centre will not be ‘free’. The social cost for New Zealanders and their families battling problem gambling will be significant.

“For John Key to argue this deal has been handled appropriately is just wrong.

“Bartering with Sky City over extra pokie machines could have been avoided if a full and thorough process had been followed,” Ruth Dyson said.

ENDS

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