12 Sep 2013

Greens urge National MPs to cross floor over Sky City

4:40 pm on 12 September 2013

The Green Party has written to all National Party MPs urging them to cross the floor on the legislation for the Government's SkyCity convention centre deal.

Greens co-leader Metiria Turei is asking the MPs to consider all the recently released information about the deal, including estimates of extra jobs created once construction is finished.

Ms Turei says an Institute of Economic Research paper found there would only be 18 extra jobs, and the Ministry of Health is doubtful about measures aimed at making the casino more responsible as a host.

She says National's backbench MPs have been happy to support the deal on the grounds of economic growth and job prospects but those factors, she says, have been significantly overstated.

Prime Minister John Key says there is no chance National MPs will cross the floor over the legislation, which is currently before a select committee.