Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill — Second ReadingText is subject to correctionBakshi Kanwaljit Singh: New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 05 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:14353. Text is subject to correction.]KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Thank you for the opportunity to speak during the second reading of the New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill. Let there be absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind that this legislation like the many other bills introduced by the National Government is aimed at the betterment of New Zealand and New Zealanders. By way of this legislation we in the National Government seek to create jobs and investment.Hon Trevor Mallard: Who wrote this rubbish? Drafted by Skycity—drafted by Skycity.KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI: It was written by me Mr Trevor Mallard. Please try to listen to it.Hon Trevor Mallard: I doubt it.KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI: Never mind I will show you—I will show you. Furthermore by way of introducing this legislation the Government also seeks to build a new international profile for New Zealand in order to attract high-value tourists.For a considerable period of time the tourism sector and businesses have shared the need for a convention centre of an international standard and size to be built in New Zealand. Finally this National Government decided to act on this much-needed facility. The Government signed an agreement with Skycity to build a world-class conventioncentre in Auckland with the aim of creating jobs boosting tourism and bringing significant benefits to the entire country. Just to share some numbers with you the benefit of this international-standard convention centre is expected to include $90 million injected into the economy annually approximately 1000 construction jobs and 800 jobs once the centre is built and is operational. We expect that the convention centre will cater for 3500 delegates at any given time and it is likely to attract around 33000 delegates each year. I do not know where the Hon Trevor Mallard got the number of 18 full-time jobs from. I think you would need more than 18 people just to maintain that convention centre.The Opposition says that the Government does not care about gambling issues that may arise out of the agreement. Well to those members’ surprise we have a clear understanding of the issues around gambling harm and what steps need to be taken to ensure the minimisation of this harm. Skycity for its part has already got one of the most rigorous host responsibility programmes. The Government for its part has placed stringent obligations on Skycity because all of us want to minimise the harm caused by gambling. Since we have taken over the Government benches the number of pokies has been reduced considerably.Some of these extra harm minimisation requirements will become part of Skycity’s host responsibility programme which is monitored constantly by experienced and professional Department of Internal Affairs inspectors. The Gambling Commission is also required to review this every 2 years. It involves a wide range of independent experts in those reviews. The method of review is entirely up to the commission which acts independently from the Government. Based on its obligations Skycity will introduce a predictive modelling tool that continuously analyses data in order to identify problem gamblers. In addition Skycity will introduce clear identification requirements when amounts over $500 are being put on to or cashed out from the non-restricted areas. Skycity has also agreed to double the number of host responsibility specialists in order to deliver coverage 24 hours a day 7 days a week.This agreement that the National Government has formed with Skycity is better for the economy better for Auckland and better for New Zealand. I commend this bill to the House.