The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the Federal Liberal Party’s newfound concern for the victims of gambling addiction, and urged the State Liberals to support upcoming legislation to reduce the impact of poker machine addiction in Tasmania.
Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP said Tony Abbott’s call to ban live betting during televised sporting events would be seen as hypocritical, unless the State Liberals also agreed to support the Greens’ push for a state-based $1 bet limit on poker machines later this month.
“It will be interesting to see whether the Liberal Party’s newfound concern for the plight of gambling addicts extends to the victims of poker machine addiction in Tasmania,” Mr Booth said
“The Greens have a Bill coming up for debate in State Parliament that would dramatically reduce the harm from poker machines in Tasmania by introducing a $1 per spin bet limit on all machines.”
“We are calling on the Liberal Party to commit to supporting our Bill when it comes before the House of Assembly.”
“The Liberal Party supported $1 bet limits just a few years ago, and now that the Greens hold the balance of power they have the opportunity to do something about it.”
“Former Liberal MP Brett Whiteley pursued a $1 maximum bet limit in the House of Assembly in November 2009. At that time, his amendment was defeated by the majority Labor government.”
“Liberal MP Dr Vanessa Goodwin also introduced the same amendment to the Legislative Council, but which she then sought to withdraw.”
“Labor has been consistent in its opposition to a $1 bet limit but if the Liberal Party chose to, we could get this legislation through and make a difference for people with problem gambling.”
Kim Booth MP Greens Gaming Spokesperson Monday, 06 May 2013
