Media Release

City Vision-Labour Councillors

For Immediate Release

13 October 2009

Claims council misled on pokie research

The findings of an Auckland City Council-commissioned research survey on public attitudes to gambling were not reported to council because they did not support the Citizens & Ratepayers’ political drive to amend the council’s current sinking lid policy on pokie machines, City Vision Councillor Cathy Casey claims

In March 2009, the council commissioned Mobius to survey public attitudes towards gambling, gambling venues and perceived benefits of community funding from corporate societies. The results were presented to the Community Services Committee on 5 August.  After discussion, the Committee voted to consult on a draft gambling venues policy which amends the current sinking lid policy.

When Waitakere City Council introduced a sinking lid policy with massive public support, Cr Cathy Casey read the Waitakere Council’s report and was shocked to see the Mobius research conclusions being used by Waitakere to support the sinking lid policy.

“The survey findings were not even reported to August Community Services Committee but Waitakere City Council used them to support the introduction of a sinking lid policy.     It seems to me that the research findings may have been cherry-picked to suit the political direction of C&R – which is to amend the current sinking lid policy. “

Cr Casey has made a formal complaint to the CEO. 

Cr Graeme Easte, a member of the Community Services Committee says:

"Information is power.  Far too often we as elected representatives are led towards particular conclusions by what is said in officer's reports or as in this case what is not said.  Although this information will belatedly be made available to the gambling venues policy hearings panel it is very disappointing that it was not made available to the Committee which debated and approved the Draft Gambling Venues policy." 

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