The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has welcomed further confirmation the Federal Government is prepared to force the states and territories to introduce new curbs on poker machines if they refuse to voluntarily sign up to poker machine reform.
A Treasury brief released yesterday under Freedom of Information has revealed Treasury is investigating options to pursue unilateral legislation on poker machines, “including the possible use of the taxation power, which may be able to apply more broadly than other possible powers’’.
Mr Wilkie’s agreement with the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, gives the state and territory governments until May 31 2011 to agree to introduce Mr Wilkie’s reform package, or be forced into the reform by Commonwealth legislation.
“I’m pleased to see from this Treasury brief evidence that the Government is honouring its agreement with me and is prepared to flex its muscles to achieve reform,’’ Mr Wilkie said.
“The brief shows there are a number of mechanisms the Commonwealth can use to force the states and territories to act, including the use of the taxation power and the corporations power.
“The threat of the Commonwealth using the taxation power is a powerful stick.’’
Mr Wilkie said he hoped the Commonwealth would not have to resort to the power, but suspected some states and territories would resist the reform due to their addiction to gaming taxes.
“I fear some of the states and territories won’t be able to shake their addiction to the rivers of tax gold they collect from the machines,’’ he said.
In exchange for Mr Wilkie’s guarantee of supply, the Prime Minister agreed to introduce a pre-commitment scheme to reduce problem gambling on poker machines, warning and cost-of-play displays on poker machines and a $250 daily withdrawal limit for ATMS in venues with poker machines, excluding casinos.
Link to Treasury brief: http://www.treasury.gov.au/documents/1875/PDF/Red_Book_Part_3_Redacted_v2.pdf
