Asenati Lole-Taylor MP Spokesperson for Social Policy 11 July 2013 USE CONSCIENCE VOTE TO PROTECT CHILDREN New Zealand First spokesperson for Social Policy, Asenati Lole-Taylor, is urging MPs to think about children and families instead of a mere building or political agenda when casting their conscience vote on the Sky City Convention Centre legislation today. The New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill has its First Reading in Parliament this afternoon. New Zealand First MPs will be voting against the Bill. “How can we profess to care about child poverty and then wilfully extend harmful gambling opportunities to parents out there struggling to cope with gambling addiction? “At least 20 per cent of people who use pokie machines will develop a gambling habit, and 40 per cent of the $140,000 (net) each year collected by Sky City pokie machines come from at risk or problem gamblers. “We must remember that many of the people struggling with gambling issues have children and families, and we mustn’t turn a blind eye to the fact that gambling is a significant contributor to child poverty.” “This National Government is gambling with the well-being of families and communities. They’re betting that the benefits of a convention centre will outweigh the social harm coming from a few more pokies and gaming tables,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor. ENDS
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 06:53:07 +0000