Media release – independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb, 1 November 2024

Pokies Barons’ Bullying and Profits Exposed by ex-Treasurer

The former Tasmanian Treasurer has confirmed the years long bullying tactics employed by the pokies industry on government in order to protect their shockingly increased profits, said Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb.

“Former Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Michael Ferguson, has finally aired the dirty laundry we all knew was hidden behind government’s closed doors.  We now have clear confirmation of the pressure applied by the pokies industry to rewrite public policy to protect its profits,” Ms Webb said.

“And what profits they are.

“In December last year alone one venue made an additional $73, 000 profit on pokies.

“The former Treasurer has just disclosed average additional profits of between 40 and 60 percent for pokies across the majority of pokies venues.

“I warned when the new licencing scheme was introduced in July 2023 the pokies would rake it in, and now the former Treasurer has confirmed the shocking leap in profits for pokies venues.

“I am appalled and saddened by the confirmation of the extent by which the pokies industry is profiting from people’s addiction, harm and pain.  The government and the Parliament were warned.

“The current Treasurer must now release the pokies data detailing the monthly profit results for licenced venues since the introduction of the new gaming laws in mid-2023.

“Earlier this week I had already put in a request for that data.  Former-Treasurer Mr Ferguson has now confirmed the government has that pokies revenue data so there is no reason why it cannot be released immediately.

“Sadly, we also have confirmation that Labor has been captured by the pokies industry, with the Opposition Leader today again reported parroting the industry’s line on facial recognition technology despite evidence showing that is a marginally effective pokies reform option.

“Facial recognition will make little dent in the pokies industry profits, such as the additional $73 000 at least one venue raked in over one month, making it safe to assume it will also have little impact on the pokies industry political donations to the major parties.

“Tasmania is indeed at a political and moral crossroads, when it comes to politicians of all stripes needing to withstand the pressure of a predatory pokies industry.

“Tasmanians impacted by pokies harm need and deserve a Minister who champions them, rather than a puppet fleecing the community for the pokies barons holding the government’s strings,” Ms Webb said.

Media release – Kristie Johnston, independent MHA for Clark, 1 November 2024

Mandatory Precommitment Player Card

I intend introducing an urgent motion to the House of Assembly in the first sitting week of November calling on the Government to introduce the Mandatory Precommitment Player Card as announced by Michael Ferguson in 2022.

I’ve asked the Premier, Labor and The Greens to allow a conscience vote on the matter.

I’m seeking a conscience vote because the issue of poker machines in our communities – the vast harms to Tasmanians and the huge profits from that misery – is of grave social, ethical, economic, and moral concern to my community in Clark.

Media release – Luke Edmunds MLC, Shadow Minister for Finance, 1 November 2024

It’s on: Ferguson goes to war with the Premier

It didn’t take long for backbencher Michael Ferguson to start bucking his head and causing internal problems for the Liberal Party and Premier Rockliff.

With the Ministerial shackles broken, the former Treasurer had strong words for the Premier, calling into question his integrity and backbone.

Battlelines have been drawn, it is believed Deputy Premier Barnett and Minister’s Ellis are likely to side with the former Treasurer.

This is yet more instability and chaos from Jeremy Rockliff’s government. 6,000 jobs have been lost since he first took Tasmania to minority government and business says it can’t trust him anymore.

After ten years the Liberals are completely falling apart.