Forum decides: Councils need a bigger say on pokies. Watch the Forum

•‘PEOPLE BEFORE POKIES’ FORUM: COUNCILS NEED BIGGER SAY ON POKIES

Kim Booth MP
Greens Gaming spokesperson
Wednesday April 6 2012

The Tasmanian Greens today committed to tabling legislation when Parliament resumes in a fortnight that would give councils a bigger say on pokies in local communities.

Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP hailed the success and strong turnout at yesterday’s ‘People Before Pokies’ forum at Hobart Town Hall, which bought together key pokie-reform campaigners for the first time.

“Yesterday saw a coalition of the willing come together for the first time at the ‘People Before Pokies’ forum, and the loud and clear message was: Tasmanians don’t want pokies,” said Mr Booth.

“I and the Greens thank Alderman Helen Burnett and pokies-reform campaigner Steve Menadue, among others, for helping put the forum together, and for their commitment to their local communities.”

“As well as a petition, the forum voted for councils having the power to control the number, licensing and location of pokies in their communities. When Parliament resumes in two weeks, the Greens will table an amendment to the Local Government Act 1993 to deliver this.”

“The Greens believe local communities and their local government representatives should have a much bigger say on pokies.”

“Currently, there is a worrying lack of control for local councils over the location and number of pokies in pubs and clubs within their respective municipalities.”

“Instead, a bigger local government say on pokies should be part of the standard planning processes undertaken by local councils.”

“Local councils are currently facing many challenges in revitalising their community centres and attracting businesses. Having a say on whether their areas can cope with pokies in pubs and clubs is critical for their ability to revitalise their community.”

“Pubs and clubs without pokies are more competitive and have innovative business models that also support nearby businesses. Pokies suck money and customers out of communities with pokie venues subsidizing food that undermines other restaurants whilst the machines undermine opportunities for local music scene to thrive.”

“Just as local government has control over the location of a venue that sells liquor they should be able to protect their community from these pokie dens.”

“I look forward to tabling the legislation when Parliament resumes in two weeks’ time. And the Greens look forward to the day pokies no longer have a stranglehold on our communities,” said Mr Booth.

Text of the Petition the forum, held in Hobart Town Hall, 5 June 2005, also agreed to support:

TO THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:

The petition of the undersigned citizens of Tasmania draws to the attention of the House the ongoing socio-economic harm caused by pokies in Tasmania and the overwhelming support by Tasmanians for pokies harm to be reduced.

The government commissioned Social and Economic Impact Study into Gambling in Tasmania (2008) surveyed Tasmanians and found most people felt that:

• Gambling was widely accessible in Tasmania (76.6 per cent);

• EGMs were a serious social problem (87.1 per cent); and

• The number of machines should be reduced (75 per cent).

The government commissioned Social and Economic Impact Study of Gambling in Tasmania (2011) further strengthens the opinion of the majority of Tasmanians. It finds that when it comes to gambling on pokie machines the costs outweigh the benefits. The average annual benefits are $68.4 million whilst the costs are estimated at $115 million.

Costs are incurred through the social impacts of problem gambling which include:

• Debt and bankruptcy on individuals and families;

• Effects on productivity and employment;

• Crime (including theft, fraud, legal costs and imprisonment);

• Personal and family costs (including divorce, separation, depression and suicide);

• Treatment costs;

• Other health costs associated with co-morbidity issues such as depression; and

• The multiplier effect from pokies on friends, family and children who suffer the impacts of problem gambling.

Your Petitioners therefore request that the House represent all Tasmanians rather than those who profit from pokie losses by:

• Implementing a $1 bet limit on all pokie machines in Tasmania;

• Giving local governments the power to assess the potential socio-economic impacts of pokie venues operating in their communities before granting a license to operate; and
• Planning for a pokie-free Tasmania.

• Tuesday: Today, Hobart Town Hall, 6pm: People Before Pokies Forum

Greens Hobart City Council Alderman Helen Burnet is today at 6pm at the Hobart Town Hall hosting a really important workshop and forum, called People Before Pokies, Hobart.

“Kim Booth, Andrew Wilkie and I will be joined by some special guests at the forum from 6-7:30pm. This follows 3 workshops running from 2-5pm on social issues, the economic effects of poker machine losses on communities, and public empowerment. All are invited to attend both the workshops and forum,” says Alderman Burnet

“Personally, I would like to see pressure on the state government to introduce $1 bet limits, for local councils to have more say in where poker machines are in our communities (or preferably not there!), i want more people to be aware of the issues, and the silent voices heard”.

Please spread the word and support this event!”

• Meanwhile AFL boss Andrew Demitriou has come out with a fantastic commitment to getting pokies out of AFL clubs. Well done!:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/136142/default.aspx

• Friday, Simon de Little’s YouTube Video HERE