We can't help but wonder...

Hone Harawira made a rare appearance in Parliament on Wednesday, and even asked a Question for Oral Answer; here's the Hansard:

2. HONE HARAWIRA (Leader—Mana) to the Minister for Economic Development: Does he think the Government’s decision to grant 230 new pokie machines, 52 new gambling tables, and a 35-year licence extension is worth the increase in relationship breakdowns, depression, suicide, family violence, increased money laundering, job losses, increased problem gambling and financial problems, as identified by its own Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-compiled regulatory impact statement; if not, why not?

Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development) : I reject the premise of the member’s question for a number of reasons. The first point is to note that the regulatory impact statement states that harm from gambling may include the things the member refers to. It is also important that there are a number of things that mitigate those possibilities in this case. Firstly, it is by no means clear at all that a marginal increase in machines in one casino will increase gambling harm, especially when the total number of machines across Auckland and across New Zealand continues to decline. Also, the negotiated significant additional harm-minimisation measures that apply to all gambling machines across the casino will together act to reduce harm. Once the concessions are in place there is also absolutely nothing to stop the regulatory authorities introducing new harm-minimisation measures over time.

Hone Harawira: When the Minister said yesterday that it is difficult to quantify the potential size of any increased risk of harm, does that mean he did not read the full regulatory impact statement from his own ministry, which said: “an additional 4,779 … people may be at least partly affected by casino machines and an additional 3,600 … by casino tables.”, and does he now accept that the potential size of any increased risk of harm is not only quantifiable but also unacceptable?

Hon STEVEN JOYCE: No. In fact, the same statement—because it is important to get this in context—says that it is difficult to quantify the potential risk of any increased risk of harm. It goes on to say, in relation to the matters the member raises, that this is a hypothesis, and says in paragraph 91: “it is possible to hypothesise”. It then goes on to say: “It is difficult to estimate the additional numbers …” and “Putting a precise cost on this potential increase is also difficult.” So it does record a hypothesis as a possibility, but, as I answered in answer to the primary question, there are a number of things that mitigate that.

Hone Harawira: Does the Minister accept that the decision to grant 230 new pokie machines, 52 new gambling tables, and a 35-year licence extension is evidence that this Government operates on the basis that deliberately harming its own citizens is acceptable, as long as it achieves its own primary goals of allowing its fat cat friends to profiteer from New Zealanders’ misery, and getting free access for themselves; if not, why not?

Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I reject that assertion completely. This Government is focused on jobs and growth for New Zealanders. I appreciate that that member himself is against jobs and growth for his constituents in Te Tai Tokerau. This Government is focused on them. The reality is that many human activities have the potential for social harm, but the important thing is how you mitigate that risk.

So we can't help but wonder; if Hone is so worried about "relationship breakdowns, depression, suicide, family violence, increased money laundering, job losses, increased problem gambling and financial problems" being caused by SkyCity's casino, why does he stay at the SkyCity hotel when he's overnighting in Auckland?

After all, there are plenty of hotels in Auckland to choose from, without staying at one which might contribute to allowing SkyCity to "profiteer from New Zealanders’ misery", as Mr Harawira put it. Maybe he just likes to go and have a flutter himself, thereby proving that the Left is very good at telling New Zealanders what to do, whilst doing the opposite themselves. Or perhaps he's waiting for an invitation to the corporate box.