Labour's last chance to listen goes begging

Green MP Sue Bradford said today that the Government has disgraced itself by forging ahead with the Gambling Bill despite pleas from the International Gambling Conference not to proceed with the grossly irresponsible legislation.

The International Gambling Conference passed a resolution today urging the Government to reject late additions to the Gambling Bill that enable the gambling industry to determine the gambling levy, allows the Lotteries Commission to provide internet gambling services and provides for banknote acceptors on pokie machines.

"Labour has completely disgraced itself by choosing to go with United Future on this bill," said Ms Bradford, the Green Gambling spokesperson.

"It has walked away from its own members, refused to negotiate with the Greens and will now ignore the considered advice of international experts if it maintains its support for this bill.

"History is starting to repeat itself with this Labour Government and I hope its MPs do some serious thinking about what's gone on over the past couple of weeks.

"The question they should ask themselves is: whose vote do you want in 2005?" Ms Bradford asked. "That of the pokie proprietors or that of the people whose lives are being ruined by problem gambling?"

Supporters of the International Gambling Conference's resolution included numerous local government authorities, district health boards, iwi organisations, the Child Poverty Action Group, the Problem Gambling Foundation, and Gamblers Anonymous.

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