Convention centre process should be restarted

The bidding process for Auckland's Convention Centre must be stopped and retendered following revelations John Key offered an unfair advantage to Skycity, the Green Party said today.

Prime Minister John Key has confirmed he personally made the offer to SkyCity allowing the casino to have more pokie machines in return for building a convention centre in Auckland.

Four other contenders are known to have put forward expressions of interest to build the convention centre.

"This reveals that the other bidders were unknowingly competing on a completely uneven playing field," said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.

"With John Key intervening in the process and offering exclusive deals for the casino, the other bidders had no way of ever being able to compete with SkyCity's offer.

"Their bids could have taken on a completely different shape had John Key offered law changes for them too.

The Green Party is concerned that if the deal went ahead taxpayers could be exposed to unknown financial risks if it was challenged in the court.

"Given the level of public concern for this deal, and the blatant unfairness to other bidders, the only reasonable course for the Government is to start the process again.

"We also need a greater level of analysis about the real costs and benefits in the bids. For example, in SkyCity's case whether it factored in the long term financial and social costs of increasing opportunities to gamble in Auckland."

"The Gambling Act as it stands protects New Zealanders from the damaging effect of more pokie machines and specifically stops casinos from growing bigger."

"John Key seems remarkably calm about the implications of subverting the fundamental intention of that law."

Other bidders are reported to have included

* SkyCity: 101 Hobson St opposite casino.
* Ngati Whatua's land near Vector Arena.
* The Edge alongside Aotea Centre.
* ASB Showgrounds on Greenlane land.
* Waterfront proposals at foot of CBD.