12 August 2003

Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader

Responsible Gambling Part Of Campaign To Tackle Poverty

The Progressive Party supports the Responsible Gambling Bill because it expects the new law will make a positive contribution to enhancing the safety and well-being of local communities.

"We expect the new law will tackle one of the well-known contributions to the incidence of poverty afflicting some parts of our society – problem gambling," Matt Robson said in Parliament during the second reading of the legislation.

Matt Robson said he hopes there will be consensus in Parliament to put in place measures to limit the explosion in pokies that New Zealand has experienced in recent years.

"Community groups have for years been saying that there is no question that gambling is a harmful activity for some people and the purpose of the new law is to facilitate responsible gambling and to limit opportunities for crime, dishonesty and exploitation of the vulnerable," Matt Robson said.

The Responsible Gambling Bill is only able to be progressed because three parties which between them have a Parliamentary majority – Labour, Progressive and United Future – were able to negotiate a piece of legislation which moves in the right direction and is acceptable to all three parties.

ENDS

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