The Labour Party acknowledges the significant contribution of outgoing Chief Censor Bill Hastings and congratulates him on his new role as a District Court Judge and Chair of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, Labour’s Internal Affairs spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

“Bill Hastings’ 12 years of service have made a significant contribution to censorship in New Zealand. This is a controversial area and often presents significant challenges. Bill has handled these complex situations with intellect, judgment and decorum,” Chris Hipkins said.

“Leading the Office of Film and Literature Classification can be demanding and controversial. Bill has encouraged debate and always been willing to front on the tricky issues. He has generally been able to guide decisions that have been reflective of general public opinion.

“Chairing a brand new agency like the Immigration and Protection Tribunal will present its own challenges. I’m sure his experience will place him in good stead for this and his dual role as a district court judge.

“I congratulate Mr Hastings on his appointments and wish him all the very best,” Chris Hipkins says.

Recent action taken against highly dubious practices among some poker machine funded charitable trusts is welcome, but more must be done, Labour’s Internal Affairs spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

“Under the Gambling Act it is very clear that profits generated from pokie machines need to be used for charitable purposes. I’m sure the New Zealand public will be appalled to learn about some of the very complicated arrangements some organisations have been using to get around this basic principle,” Chris Hipkins said.

“At a time when so many community groups are struggling to raise enough money to survive, it’s shocking to think that money that should have been used for charitable purposes has been channelled through a complex web of companies and trusts, ending up being used to promote more gambling rather than support charities.

“I’m pleased the Department of Internal Affairs are taking decisive action.

“However the fact remains that there are still some very questionable practices in parts of the pokie trust sector and the Government needs to deal with them. The public should be able to have confidence that money earmarked for charitable purposes is actually ending up being used for that purpose.

“Both the current Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy and his predecessor Richard Worth expressed concerns about ‘dubious practices’ in parts of the gaming machine industry. They need to do more than just express concerns, they actually need to do something about it.

“I’m more than happy to discuss these matters with the Minister at any time to ensure he can gain sufficient support for any legislative changes that may be required. It’s time for some action,” Chris Hipkins said.

The Government must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that the profits generated by gaming machines are actually being used for charitable purposes within local communities, Labour’s Internal Affairs spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

 ”Under the Gambling Act it is very clear that profits generated from pokie machines need to be used for charitable purposes. Recent revelations that gaming machine proceeds have been used to rennovate a pokie room in a strip club, fund lavish meals in fancy restaurants, and encourage gaming venues to switch from one Trust to another, are totally unacceptable,” Chris Hipkins said.

“I congratulate the Department of Internal Affairs for the decisive action they have taken in dealing with these instances. However the fact remains that there are still some very questionable practices in parts of the pokie trust sector and the Government needs to deal with them.

“At a time when community groups are struggling for funding, it’s important that every dollar that should be used for charitable purposes actually is. Local groups and clubs who have been turned down for funding will be shocked to learn where some of the money has ended up.

“Both the current Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy and his predecessor Richard Worth expressed concerns about “dubious practices” in parts of the gaming machine industry. They need to do more than just express concerns, they actually need to do something about it.

“I’m more than happy to discuss these matters with the Minister at any time to ensure he can gain sufficient support for any legislative changes that may be required. It’s time for some action,” Chris Hipkins said.

Government Ministers are hiding how much they are spending on staff while expecting average New Zealanders to tighten their belts, Labour Internal Affairs spokesperson Chris Hipkins says. Read the rest of this entry »

Parliament’s ability to hold the public service accountable for its effectiveness is being sabotaged by the new National Government, Labour’s Internal Affairs spokesperson Chris Hipkins says. Read the rest of this entry »

The entire public service is rapidly becoming another arm in the National Party’s political machinery, Labour Internal Affairs Spokesperson Chris Hipkins says. Read the rest of this entry »

Government rejection of official advice to pay $2000-a-day private purchase advisers like Graeme Scott out of ministerial funds shows how far National is down the track of politicising the public service, says Labour Internal Affairs spokesperson Chris Hipkins. Read the rest of this entry »

Bill English needs to release in full all details around the contracting of his private purchase advisors, Labours Internal Affairs Spokesperson Chris Hipkins says. Read the rest of this entry »

Internal Affairs Minister Richard Worth is continuing to thumb his nose at public accountability, Labour Immigration spokesperson Pete Hodgson and Internal Affairs Spokesperson Chris Hipkins say. Read the rest of this entry »

Labour’s Internal Affairs spokesperson Chris Hipkins has welcomed the commitment made by Prime Minister John Key on Breakfast TV this morning to investigate the refusal by one of his Ministers to answer written parliamentary questions or Official Information Act requests. Read the rest of this entry »