A statement regarding the new public interest test for pokies …

… AND GOVERNMENT DECISION TO PUT NEW GLENORCHY LICENSE ON HOLD

I applaud the State Government for tabling legislation today that would implement a public interest test for new poker machine licenses in Tasmania. This has been a glaring omission and one that has allowed the machines to be rolled out in some of the most vulnerable communities in the State. The Government is also to be commended for its decision to put all pending license applications on hold subject to the implementation of the test.

This is a big win for those in the community who have long been campaigning for the inclusion of a public interest test. It’s also a big win for the Glenorchy community in particular which has been very outspoken in its concern about the proposal for the new Paddy Wagon pub to have 20 poker machines.

I had mailed out more than 20,000 letters to the Glenorchy community urging people to register their concerns with the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission. I’m delighted with the public response and the fact many people did indeed lodge objections.

Some $2 million is lost on the pokies in Glenorchy every month, almost half of which is lost by gambling addicts, and the last thing the city needs is another 20 poker machines.
Andrew Wilkie, Independent MP for Denison