Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill

Thank you, Mr Speaker; thank you for the opportunity. I rise to take a call on this bill, the Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill. Whilst this bill did raise some early questions for Labour, it was important to understand the specificness of its intent and purpose. Labour understands that it’s an omnibus bill, that the 23 Acts, the provisions of the changes, what they are trying to achieve—the changes are necessary.

The changes are minor because there have been gaps in the original draft and it is inconsistent in original legislation. What we have done is really carefully review the new provisions and understanding from officials the overall intent as to why their changes are necessary. The provisions are there to update, as outlined, and they are carefully needed to be understood—how this bill will improve the lives of New Zealanders.

In my contribution that is short, I wanted to comment on two of the provisions in the Gambling Act because, currently, there is legislation—separate legislation—that achieves another purpose, and it is now at the select committee phase: the Online Casino Gambling Bill, because New Zealand is the last OECD country without a regulated market for online gambling. So that’s got its own process. What I would point out is that gambling is a self-authorised choice—that sometimes those people choose to gamble because they have a little bit of money that they’d like to spend on thinking or believing that they would have funds that can be increased where they spend their money, and that’s no problem. But as soon as you start to impose your advertising methods on young people under the age of 18 years, this bill has the provision to protect our young people from being unable to purchase or to be enticed to spend money on a gambling product. That is a good thing.

Further provisions of the principal Act, respectively: “The amendment moves the regulation-making power for prescribing the use of pre-commitment, player tracking, or other harm-minimisation devices, technology, or systems in or associated with gambling equipment from section 314 into section 313. The regulation-making power is also expanded to pertain to gambling equipment as defined in section 4 of the principal Act, as opposed to only gaming machines.” I’m highlighting that, for some New Zealanders who think that gaming machines could be the same as gambling equipment, there is a notable difference, as gambling equipment is a much wider and more sophisticated operation—which, the definition says, is anything kept or furnished or provided for a specific purpose.

The offshore online gambling industry continues to look for new overseas markets or new punters to attract them by offering new products on updated marketing methods, and utilising gambling equipment is one of those things designed to specifically target new gamblers. They’re always looking for new ways. It is critical for our New Zealand gambling legislation that is being designed to be kept up with the advanced technology, and specifically these amendments look to those to tackle that and protect New Zealanders as New Zealand Parliament works towards stronger regulation to combat the new online regulated market platform. It is important, overall, to reduce the harm of the online gambling world.

Labour supports this bill. Thank you.

Just before we take the next speaker, the Speaker will resume the Chair.

Debate interrupted.