It’s time for John Key’s government to stop being dictated to by multi-national corporations and start putting the best interests of New Zealanders ahead of corporate profits. News that SkyCity has decided to invest in a new International Convention Centre in Auckland is great news for the economy, locally and nationally. But that doesn’t mean we should rush out and change our laws and regulations to suit the interests of SkyCity’s shareholders.
When Warner Brothers held a gun to National’s head, John Key rolled over and changed our employment laws to suit their whims. Now we’re seeing him roll over and offer to change our gambling laws to suit SkyCity. That’s not good enough. The National government should be guided by what is in the best interests of all New Zealanders, not what’s in the best interests of corporate giants.
It’s ironic that National aren’t willing to back New Zealand companies like KiwiRail, preferring to see contracts for new trains and carriages shipped offshore, but when one of the private sector big corporates clicks their fingers it seems there isn’t anything John Key won’t do to please them.
It seems wrong in principle to me. And worse as it is a means to increase gambling!
Check with Mayor Len before you try to scupper his plan.
He may not be too happy, he has spent a long time and a number of favors have been called in on this one.
I do not buy this feigned outrage from Labour. The Casino is here to stay well beyond 2021. The Licence will definitely be renewed – - it is just that the renewal is going to happen earlier. With that renewal Sky City are going to invest $350m (a figure you left out) in NZ creating 1000 direct jobs, plus no doubt many more jobs in the manufacturing industries for components of the structure. And that is just the construction phase. Then there are the 800 direct jobs in the completed convention centre. Tourists of high net worth will come and then hopefully spend another week or two in NZ (maybe on the cycleways – spending even more money.
I know you hate this – but to me this is a vote of support by a large company in NZ creating jobs.
Would Labour have agreed to accommodate changes if they were the government? I bet you that Labour would be all over this like a rash claiming the some benefits as National will. And you clowns oppose this – sorry – just not beievable.
Depends on whether they believe that the law change is good. It could be possible that they want this law to go ahead anyway, and getting the investment is an added bonus. That’s what the Warner Bros scenario looked like to me. Key could just be a really good negioator, and is fooling even you.
Note: JK has denied any changes to age decrease or online gambling. Thought you ought to know…
You should definitely create a website for it!
David , you should check the facts. The agreement is between Sky City & the government.
Why would Labour moan at 350 mill investment and a 1000 jobs. Why not welcome it but insist Key puts in measures for the .000001% of the population that cant help themselves on the pokies.
Leave the luddite greenies to oppose, I have to believe that if you were in power you would welcome this news.
I have and I ‘m confident Auckland taxpayers are going to be very happy with Sky City’s investment.
Mayor Len is learning, and in this he has had some great advice and direction. It will all unfold in the fullness of time.
Note it seems there are two Davids commenting here. How confusing.
good to see John Key actively promoting projects like the Hobbit movie and the conference project to help generate work and advertise NZ open for business in this terrible time of financial implosion all around the world.
Pity about the potential loss of 80 or so Kiwirail jobs especially following the loss of 20,000 others in the 80′s.
Correct me if I’m wrong, Chris, but isn’t Len Brown also in the thick of all this?
I suspect Len Brown will find out that the majority of Auckland don’t support more gambling.
“I suspect Len Brown will find out that the majority of Auckland don’t support more gambling.”
Wrong.
Get with it.
Can all you Labour fanboys & girls say honestly that if this possible development came Labours way if you were in power that you would turn it down??? Dam right you wouldn’t turn it down, you would be all over it….
Or tell us a private investor in NZ who could back a venture like this? Oh thats right there are none in this economic climate…
If Key really is putting up a “NZ for sale” sign, then he won’t need to make a new one, I’m sure Phil Goff has one lying about somewhere.
Cuddling up to casino bosses wasn’t the best move for Bugsy either, in the end. Will Krusty survive this once the real deal is revealed?
The Auckland Council and Infratil had a proposal for a convention centre in a different location. As well there were other bidders.
The Sky City proposal is ‘crony capitalism’, where National helps its mates.
TV3 $40 mill no problems, new BMWs when the public service gets cuts, just roll up with your donation, dairy farmers irrigation schemes, how much do you want
What does gambling cost us in money as a nation each year? I refer not just to addicts per se, but those who kill over debts. A murder trial in NZ costs what? $1m for a not guilty plea?
The hotel Council estimates that the convention centre will add an additional 100,000 visitor nights to Auckland’s hotels.
That’s a lot of new jobs, a great boost for Auckland’s restaurants and shopping precincts, and a great launching pad for spin-off tourism ventures.
It’s hard to understand why anyone who cares about the workers would say no to positive news like this.
joe, so far all we have around this is press releases. It’s hard to imagine how anyone who cares about anyone or anything would make decisions based on sound bites.
“Cuddling up to casino bosses wasn’t the best move for Bugsy either, in the end”
Worked pretty well for Prince Florestan I of Monaco though, didnt it?
Shonkey goverment with mickey mouse figures.
They get pulled out of the proverbial ..
How many more of these figures, “concessions” and tricks will be put to us for us to fall for ??
have to say it because it is relevant .. were there casinos and problem gambling between 1999 and 2008 .. if so, why considering, the theme of this posting?
jabba, the current government promised to exceed labour in every way including standards of behaviour, values etc. So your proposition “that labour did it and didn’t change it” is effective against Labour but not in favour of national
Thought the Title would lead to a story whinging about Labour labelled, ‘asset sales’ by John Key’s team….but no, whinging about job creation! Unbelievable…are you sure you know who Labour is supposed to represent?
Not just gambling occurs in a casino – dinner, shows, conventions, accommodation, trade shows…so the massive investment in Auckland is difficult to label as a bad thing…and, yet, here you’ve tried.
Nobody is forced to gamble…it would be interesting to compare the number of actual jobs the weekly lotto draw has created compared with a destination business where gambling is only a component, and where the struggling building industry will get significant work; yet nobody is demanding the Sat night fix be banned?