Leading constitutional lawyer Stephen Franks has panned the Government's convention centre deal with SkyCity, saying it dodges important safeguards.
Mr Franks' law firm, Franks & Ogilvie, was asked by the Green Party to advise on the constitutional implications of the deal under which SkyCity will build a $402 million convention centre in Auckland city in return for Gambling Act changes that will boost its profits.
Mr Franks' analysis, released yesterday, found the "heads of agreement" signed last month "exhibits an approach to procurement that skirts important constitutional safeguards".
The Government was in effect selling dispensations from the Gambling Act to SkyCity which were not available to others in return for the convention centre. "The ability to 'purchase' a dispensation from regulation sits uncomfortably with the rule of law," Mr Franks said.
He also said the agreement was unlikely to bind future governments.
