The Tasmanian Greens today revealed that since January this year Tasmanians have lost $105,488,308 on poker machines, with the July pokies losses of $18, 912, 543 presenting an increase of over two million from June’s loss rates.
Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that this spike in monthly pokies losses makes it clear that Tasmanians were facing a second consecutive year of total losses over $200 million on pokies, despite deafening calls from within the community for action to be taken.
“In July alone Tasmanians lost over $18 million on pokies, which is a staggering increase of over $2 million from June,” Mr Booth said.
“Decision-makers cannot keep turning a blind eye to the flood of hard-earned income out of pockets down the gullets of these insidious machines, action must be taken now to address the negative impact pokies are having on the community and to start weaning government’s off their addiction to pokies revenue.”
“The final Productivity Commission Report was clear that mechanism such as introducing a $1 bet limit, is a responsible first step in taking meaningful action to address the highly addictive nature of pokies.”
“Tasmanians have been calling for years for action on pokies, and with shocking losses of over $18 million in one month, it is past time that decision-makers heeded this call,” Mr Booth said.
Reference: http://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/domino/dtf/dtf.nsf/alls-v/CD36BFC11D136484CA2575E10006E703
$1 BET LIMIT PROGRESS PUTS TASMANIA IN FRONT OF NATION
As Proposed Legislation Referred to Committee Through Parliamentary Collaboration
Kim Booth MP
Greens Gaming spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens today said that Tasmania was poised to lead the nation on implementing the recommended $1 bet limit on pokies, after negotiating with the Liberal Party to refer the matter to a specifically appointed Parliamentary Committee.
Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that despite the five Greens MPs being firmly of the belief that the $1 bet limit could be implemented immediately, that after considering other matters raised by the Liberal Party good faith negotiations were entered into to find a positive compromise.
“Tasmania is poised to lead the nation on pokies reform following this historic decision being made by our power-sharing Parliament to refer to a specifically appointed committee the Greens’ Bill to implement a $1 bet limit on pokies,” Mr Booth said.
“This Select Committee will be able to assess any localised impacts on pubs and clubs of a $1 bet limit, and other measures such as reducing the spin rate to a maximum of $120, and make any recommendations on amelioration measures.”
“Importantly, this Committee is anything but a delaying tactic, and instead it will need to get cracking as the Terms of Reference requires that it reports back to the House by Tuesday the 9th of November this year, which will provide the Parliament an opportunity to act on its recommendations before the Christmas break.”
“The negotiated outcome to have a Committee examine the Bill and related matters rather than have the Bill defeated, has ensured that there will be real movement on progressing the eventual implementation of a $1 bet limit and spin restrictions.”
“On behalf of the Greens I thank the Liberal Party for their willingness to negotiate to ensure that this important issue could move forward, and I look forward to the new Select Committee buckling down and getting on with its job,” Mr Booth said.
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Text of Motion Passed by the House of Assembly (moved by Greens, supported by Liberals):
“ (1) The Gaming Control Amendment Bill 2010 (No. 5) be referred to a Select Committee of the House of Assembly for investigation and report thereon;’ and that:
(2) the appointed Select Committee have the power to send for persons and papers, have leave to sit during any adjournment of the House exceeding fourteen days, and leave to report from time to time and leave to adjourn from place to place, to inquire into and report upon the Gaming Control Amendment Bill 2010 (No. 5), including:-
(a) Potential effects upon venues with Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) should a $1 bet limit poker machine restriction measures be implemented:
(b) the development of an implementation plan that would recommend amelioration of any untoward impacts upon venues;
(c) The effect on state revenues and amelioration measures;
(d) Other matters incidental thereto; and
(e) Provided if neither House is sitting, the report may be presented to the Speaker and the President and then the contents of the committee’s report may be made public.
(3) The Committee shall consist of 5 Members being: 2 from the Government nominated by the Leader of the House; 2 from the Opposition nominated by the Leader of Opposition Business in the House; and 1 from the Tasmanian Greens nominated by the Leader of the Greens.
(4) The Committee report by Tuesday 9th of November next.
