Destroying families to promote casual jobs

Global Peace and Justice Auckland will strongly oppose the proposed building of an international convention centre for Auckland if this means a deal to increase the amount of gambling at Auckland's Skycity casino.

New Zealand already has 50,000 gambling addicts which have come at enormous cost to families and communities. Any proposal to extend opportunities for gambling would be another vicious attack on New Zealand families.

If there are benefits from the convention centre they are minute considering the likely impacts of the increase in gaming machines.

"We have to stop funding community-building projects from the proceeds of community-destroying activities."

Prime Minister John Key says 800 jobs would be created from the project but these will be part-time, casualised jobs on close to the minimum wage. The benefits are grossly over-stated as in typical for any such development.

Gambling is already having a devastating effect on the community here. One more pokie machine or gaming table is one more too many.

John Minto

Spokesperson

Global Peace and Justice Auckland

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