Former Qld Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen was right to ban poker machines

Former Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen was ridiculed for his conservative views by ‘progressive’ Labor types. But he got it right on poker machines, some readers say. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen was a staunch opponent of poker machines coming into Queensland, unlike fellow National Party Minister Russ Hinze.

Former Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen was ridiculed for his conservative views by ‘progressive’ Labor types.

But if there’s one thing some argue he was right about was his staunch opposition to the introduction of poker machines in Queensland.

And even former Labor Premier Wayne Goss, who brought in power machines, admitted before he died they were a scourge and an mistake.

Within a year of the Cabinet decision in 1991, there were 9332 pokies in 405 clubs and 298 hotels throughout Queensland.

Earlier this year, Office of Liquor and Gaming figures showed there were 45,518 licensed gaming machines.

Now, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis Queenslanders lost more money than ever on the pokies, with $363m flushed away in just 31 days.

The worst losses by population size were in Mount Isa, where a population of just 18,000 lost $3.5m in a month — $251 per adult.

More than 65% our readers believe it is time to revisit poker machines and their impact, including looking at restricting hours of operation.

And there are plenty who have questioned the idea of Premier Steven Miles propping up Brisbane’s new Star casino.

WHAT OUR READERS HAVE HAD TO SAY

Corner Post

Joh was often (seen as) ridiculous for keeping pokies out of Qld but then the “progressive” Labor Government proudly brought them in. In my regional city retailers then saw a reduction in sales and community groups an increase in demand for assistance. It is a sad fact of life that some of us need to be protected from ourselves.

Wayne Goss at the opening of the Prince Albert bar at Jupiters Casino. His government introduced poker machines into Queensland as part of post Fitzgerald Inquiry ‘reforms’. He later admitted it was a mistake.

Charlie forever Pending

We had the scenario where the local RSL club used to send the courteous vehicle to collect our mother who was suffering at the time early dementia, over a period of 3 months she had managed to lose $40,000. Some days it could be up to $1200. Bleeding the elderly should be an offence.

Micko Elicko

Olympics for the brain dead

Fiona

I’d like to see the comparison between the amounts lost in the years where the low socio-economic areas had the Cashless Card introduced to now. I know it certainly made a difference to the number of children who came to school with food/books. I can only assume it made a difference with the amount put through the pokies as well.

Humphrey

If one frequents pokie venues in Cairns one sees some of the poorest people throwing away money that should be used to feed their families.

Pokies are a major driver of youth crime. No food on the table. There is one venue in Cairns open until 5.30am. How is this possible?

Jackie

Some of these areas are high welfare areas. These people know they can get govt money each and every week and go and blow it all on pokies.

Former National Party Minister Russ Hinze, pictured judging a beer belly competition, was a big fan of poker machines and vowed to introduce them if he got to take over from Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen as premier. Photo: Glenn Hampson

Concerned

And Giggles wants to spend $1 billion dollars to save a casino.

Gnads

Mum & Dad businesses are allowed to go to the wall by the dozens every week. Yet a private enterprise/ multi billion dollar ASX listed Gambling company run by $multi million dollar salaried executives & majority owned by a Billionaire get a $183 million dollar tax debt deferred for an undisclosed time???

Coastguy

Poker machines are a revenue stream for the State Government. They don’t care about peoples lives wrecked, they can all join the homeless in tents. Governments are addicted to revenue from gambling.

Linda

It would be interesting to know how much of the money going into pokies is “welfare” money. Also how many of the people playing the pokies also claim food vouchers etc.

The Blind Fred

Wouldn’t have anything to do with Labor getting rid of the card for welfare payments that reduced the cash available would it?

Peter

Visiting the pub was traditionally, a place to have a few beers with your friends, chat, have a game of darts or pool, listening to the jukebox, now you can hear the annoying sounds of pokies in rooms where nobody speaks, just zombies losing their money. How about removing these from pubs as a first.

Queenslanders lost more than $360 million in a month on poker machines.

Cobey Brynley

This is a direct result of people wanting more money to help with day to day living. People will take a risk if they have a chance of winning.

Ali Lea

Aged pensioners always saying they need more money. Go into a pub any time of the day and they are filled with old people, thrashing their dough through the pokies!

Sherry Smith

It’s a fact that the house always wins, people that play the pokies are never in front. I hope one day all poker machines are removed from clubs and pubs.

Cat Louise

No idea why anyone would think a cost of living crisis would cure an addiction. People with addiction will go without many things and go into debt to feed it, whether it be gambling, alcohol, smokes or other substances.

Chris Mack

Sir Joh had the right idea, ban them. Evil Governments love the Tax $$$ from Gambling, Cigarettes, Alcohol and fuel too much

Andrew Watto

Happens every time government handout stimulus. I know a few pub operators and they all predicted the majority of tax cuts and social security increases will see a huge jump in their gaming revenue …. The government know this, as they also reap 1/2 these increases through gaming taxes.

David Summerville

You have Wayne Goss to thank!