Record number of anti-pokie submissions delivered to Auckland Council

A record 9,061 written submissions in support of a ‘sinking lid’ on pokies were delivered to Auckland Council yesterday by the ‘No More Pokies’ community coalition.

Submissions on Auckland Council’s proposed gambling venue policies closed yesterday, Thursday 28 February at 4pm.

The Class 4 Gambling (Pokie) Venue Policy is being developed for Auckland Council to replace the policies of the seven legacy Territorial Local Authorities.

The ‘No More Pokies’ campaign, endorsed by more than 20 organisations, was launched on 18 January and has been actively encouraging people to have their say on pokie machines in their communities.

The thousands of submissions collected from all over Auckland send a powerful message to Auckland Council that Aucklanders are in favour of a ‘sinking lid’ and don’t want any more pokies.
A ‘sinking lid’ on pokies means no new licenses can be granted for pokie venues and machines can’t be transferred if a venue closes.

Verbal submissions will be heard in May and/or June 2013 and the policies will be adopted after submitters have been heard and the Hearings Committee has made recommendations on changes to the draft policy – probably in July or August 2013.

Ends

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>