Press Release
ISSUED BY AFFORDABLE AUCKLAND

Hand’s Off Our Cash Sky City!

“Not one single cent of taxpayer or ratepayer money should be funnelled into the pockets of corporates to fund a convention centre,” says Affordable Auckland Leader Stephen Berry. “A deal has been made by Sky City with the Government. If one side cannot keep their own end of the bargain then the deal is off!”

Berry thinks that if market conditions are causing the Convention Centre deal to look unprofitable for Sky City, then it clearly isn’t worth doing. “It is not the role of politicians to pick winners and pet projects for handouts. If you have to convince a politician to fund your idea with money compulsorily taken from others then your idea sucks.”

“It is obscene for Steven Joyce to suggest Auckland ratepayers be required to fund part of the construction of Sky City’s project when the Council’s books are clearly kaput. Back in 2011 I said that National would fail to return the Government to surplus by 2014/15 because I recognised it would require a change of behaviour the National party was not willing to pursue. This National government is clearly reaching desperation as it tries to balance its budgetary failures with obtaining future corporate donations.”

Mr. Berry remains cautiously supportive of the original deal between Sky City and the Government which would allow Sky City to have more gaming tables and pokie machines. “I’m cautiously supportive because I’m generally averse to deals between big business and big government, however I also don’t think the affairs of private businesses should be regulated to the degree that those of Sky City are by current laws.”

“At the same time I reject the argument of those on the hard left that economic freedom and thousands of jobs should be prevented because they disapprove of the manner in which some people chose to spend their recreational time. These are the same people who complain that the price of food is going up while claiming $1 loaves of bread are going to put people out of work.”

“If the deal for liberalisation of gaming in exchange for a purely privately funded convention centre remains then I favour moving forward. Any attempt by Sky City to put its hand out for public money must be firmly rebuffed.”

Stephen Berry was the Affordable Auckland candidate for Mayor in 2013.

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