Open Letter urges Tasmanian Premier to resist opposition to pre-commitment gambling card reforms

Media release – Alliance for Gambling Reform, 13 November 2024

Chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Tim Costello AO, has issued an Open Letter to the Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, and all members of the State Parliament, urging them to resist the efforts of the gambling lobby to undermine the promised poker machine mandatory pre-commitment card reforms.

Mr Costello released the Open Letter in Hobart this morning on behalf of its twelve co-signatories.

“Tasmania’s work implementing a mandatory pokies pre-commitment card is nation leading and is recognised as an evidence-based genuine harm minimisation measure which will save lives,” Mr Costello said.

“It is deeply concerning that those working in the sector along with community leaders, have felt it necessary to write as a matter of urgency to Premier Rockliff, and all State MPs, urging them to prioritise the public interest over the vested interests of the gambling lobby.”

“It is clear to us the secretly commissioned Deloitte report is an example of the pokies industry’s desperate rear-guard action to defy these positive reforms and to protect their own profits.”

“Ironically, the fact the pokies industry is objecting so loudly about the mandatory card is in itself proof the reforms will effectively protect consumers.”

Rev. Costello said we can predict that the pokies industry will resort to misleading and debunked myths in their attempt to derail these reforms.

“We know, for example, the pokies industry will push facial recognition technology despite the fact the Tasmanian Gaming commission has already considered and rejected that as ineffective.”

“We know there will be faux hand-wringing over the prediction that pokies reform will see a rise in internet gambling despite that not being the actual experience of those countries which have already introduced a pre-commitment card system.”

“It is the responsibility of all political leaders to critique the assertions put forward by the vested interests which reap millions annually from pokies misery, against the evidence and expertise provided by those working in this field.”

Mr Costello invited any Tasmanian MP to contact him to discuss in person the current mandatory pokies pre-commitment card process underway, and what will be at risk should the reforms be derailed.

“I extend an invitation to each and every Tasmanian MP to discuss in person the deep interest and high hopes with which national stakeholders are watching Tasmania’s leadership in this area of urgent gambling policy reform,” Mr Costello said.

“I reiterate my long-standing invitation to discuss this matter with Labor Leader Dean Winter MP, an extend that to include current Shadow Finance spokesperson Luke Edmunds MLC, or any other Labor, Liberal or cross-bench MP.”

“Surely the Tasmanian community has a fair expectation that their elected representatives would actively seek to inform their position based upon evidence and lived experience, rather than be cowed by the bullying tactics of vested private interests.”

“On behalf of the local and national signatories to our Open Letter, I urge Premier Jeremy Rockliff to demonstrate the leadership and resolve necessary to hold the line on these significant reforms on behalf of all Tasmanians,” Mr Costello said.

Media release – Meg Webb, independent Member for Nelson, 13 November 2024

Pokies Reform Advocates Call Out Industry Pressure Behind Deloitte Report

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said today the Tasmanian Labor and Liberal parties have received a timely challenge from national and local poker machine reform advocates to hold firm and deliver the promised poker machine pre-commitment card, and withstand pressure from the gambling industry.

“I welcome the timely Open Letter sent to every Tasmanian MP and co-signed by a coalition of local and national stakeholders with pokies reform expertise and lived experience,” Ms Webb said.

“Tim Costello, the Alliance for Gambling Reform and many of the Open Letter’s co-signatories work at the coal face assisting those impacted by pokies addiction and harm.

“The Open Letter authors know the very real desperation pokies harm inflicts, and they also know the very real difference for many Tasmanians the promised mandatory pre-commitment card could make.

“Significantly, this Open Letter calls out the bullying pokies industry tactics which the co-signatories warn are behind the apparent weakening of the Rockliff government’s resolve and the secretly commissioned Deloitte report.

“Suddenly we are also hearing the Labor opposition use industry-endorsed language such as ‘voluntary’ pokies pre-commitment cards which is wildly out of step with the evidence and independent recommendations for reform.

“The Open Letter strips bare the fact the Deloitte Report is part of the established gambling lobby playbook, designed to deny evidence-based best practice reforms and instead maintain the status quo and, most importantly, protect pokies industry profits.”

Ms Webb also called on the Premier to honour the recent Legislative Council vote calling for the release of the Deloitte Access economics report terms of reference.

“Despite the Upper House voting on Tuesday the 29th of October in support of my motion calling for the immediate release of the Deloitte review terms of reference, the Premier has failed to do so, which risks treating the Parliament with contempt.

“Governments which disrespect the will of the Parliament as expressed by a democratic vote, are also treating with disrespect the Tasmanian electors.

“If the Premier has nothing to hide and has not sold out the Tasmanian community, then there should be no impediment to Mr Rockliff providing a prompt and clear recommitment of his government’s election promise to deliver the independently recommended mandatory pokies pre-commitment card.”

Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader, 13 November 2024

Greens Welcome Pokies Open Letter

The Greens warmly welcome a new open letter, signed by a wide variety of advocates and organisations, in support of a comprehensive and mandatory pokies pre-commitment card.

In recent weeks we’ve heard both Liberal and Labor politicians speaking straight from the playbook of the pokies lobby. They’ve talked a lot about industry profits, but pretty much ignored the terrible harm pokies cause to vulnerable Tasmanians, their families, and the wider community.

We first heard Jeremy Rockliff refusing to back his government’s own pokies policy was when he evaded repeated questions from the Greens in Parliament. Then the Premier said he wants a ‘more measured approach’. Recently we’ve seen Labor questioning the mandatory card and pushing for it to be watered down to useless. It’s shameful.

It’s hopeful to see such a wide variety of signatories to this new letter, but it’s terrible we’ve reached the point where they have no other choice. Community organisations and advocates clearly feel shut out by the Premier, who seems squarely focused on delivering another win for the pokies industry.

For decades we’ve seen the gambling industry hold power over Liberal and Labor politicians. That’s what we’re seeing again now. It’s no exaggeration to say they are betraying the community by walking away from the agreed strong policy. After all, most Tasmanians want to see real action to stop pokies’ harm.

This government promised to deliver their nation-leading pokies’ reforms. They promised a mandatory pre-commitment card, with all the features recommended by an extensive report from the Liquor and Gaming Commission. For the sake of the thousands of Tasmanians lives and livelihoods harmed by pokies, this is what they must deliver.