Dear Mr Speaker,
Re: Personal vote on New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill
I am writing to request that votes on the New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill be personal votes.
McGee sets out that non-party voting survives for issues like gambling.
The New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill deals with gambling issues and significantly extends gambling opportunities. It sets out that the gambling concessions in the Bill will override the Gambling Act 2003 where they are inconsistent with the Gambling Act.
The Bill also makes current unlawful gambling practices lawful.
It is clearly a Bill that is related in significant part with the issue of gambling.
In the past, most gambling related legislation has been dealt with by way of a conscience vote. The research (attached) from the Parliamentary Library shows that most gambling legislation has been treated as a conscience issue. In particular, casino gambling law has been treated as a conscience issue.
It is our view that a Bill that significantly amends gambling law in a permissive way should be treated as a conscience issue. If this Bill is not treated as a conscience issue then a very unfortunate precedent will be set, as it would be hard to see what criteria could be used to apply a conscience vote to a gambling issue in the future.
We consider this to be a serious matter of precedent, and we request that you give the matter your thoughtful consideration.
I am available to discuss this matter with you further should you require.
Regards,
Metiria Turei
Green Party Co-leader
