POKIES $1 BET LIMIT: WHY HAVE LIBERALS BACK-FLIPPED ON PREVIOUS COMMITMENT?
Power-Sharing Parliament Can Deliver Real Reform
The Tasmanian Greens today (Sun) urged the State Liberals to reconsider and vote in support of introducing the $1 bet limit on poker machines, saying they have a real opportunity to make a real difference for Tasmanians.
Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that need for real pokie reform is urgent, especially as it is expected there will still not be sufficient money in the State budget to meet the needs identified by NGO welfare organisations.
“Under Will Hodgman as Leader in 2009, current sitting Liberal MPs including Deputy Leader Jeremy Rockliff, Rene Hidding and Peter Gutwein all voted in support of introducing a $1 bet limit on pokies,” Mr Booth said.
“It is not surprising that the community is now demanding to know from them what has changed since then.
“Tasmanians are still losing close to a shocking $200 million a year on pokies, while welfare organisations are crying out for more assistance to help those in need.””
“Was it all just a hollow pre-election sham in 2009 when those Liberal MPs voted in support of then-Liberal Gaming spokesperson Brett Whiteley’s amendment to introduce $1 bet limits?”
“Although the Greens voted in support of the Liberals amendment in 2009 we did not have the numbers to carry it through. However, if the Liberals were to vote this week consistent with their previous track record, the power-sharing Parliament means we are in a position to make a real difference for those Tasmanian families and local businesses suffering from pokie addiction.”
“Tasmanians are losing a whopping $16million – $20 million each month on pokies. Those affected families, friends and workplaces all deserve to have the Liberals stand by their word and vote for change.”
“The Greens will be bringing on for a vote our Bill to introduce a $1 Bet Limit this Wednesday in State Parliament, and we are urging the Liberal Opposition to examine their conscience, to go back and read again what they put on the public record when their own Gaming spokesperson at the time moved a similar amendment, and to take this opportunity on Wednesday to vote to make a difference for Tasmanians,” Mr Booth said.
Download: House of Assembly Hansard, 5 November 2009. Liberals’ Gaming spokesperson Brett Whiteley MP moving Liberal’s amendment to introduce a pokies $1 Bet Limit:
May19_HSD_Whiteley_re_1Bet_Limit_5Nov2009_K_Booth_ATTACH.pdf
