NSW Premier vows to work with clubs after blistering cashless gaming card attack

The NSW Premier has vowed to work with the clubs and pubs industry in a move to ease tensions after a colleague unleashed on the sector.

Premier Dominic Perrottet says “clubs and pubs play an important role in our communities” and vowed to work with the industry over the introduction of cashless gaming cards, in a move to ease tensions after his colleague Rob Stokes launched a blistering attack on the sector.

Mr Stokes claimed in parliament on Wednesday that “human misery is a financial lifeblood for many NSW clubs”, ahead of the Premier holding a crunch meeting with the clubs peak body on Thursday.

While Mr Perrottet said he was “uncomfortable” with the tax revenue generated during his time as Treasurer, he also backed working with clubs and pubs to implement the cards.

“It’s not us versus them, our clubs and pubs play an important role in our communities across our state and they have for a very long time and I want that to continue,” Mr Perrottet said.

“They’re a significant employer of particularly young people across our state.

“This is about us all sitting back and saying what is our moral responsibility that we have as a society to ensure that criminal activity is not occurring in venues and secondly, that people who are affected and vulnerable are given the support they need and are (not) put into situations where they throw their life savings down a poker machine.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet has dug his heels in over the cashless gaming card. Picture: David Swift

While powerful Independent MP Alex Greenwich on Wednesday demanded the cashless gaming card be introduced within the next term of government, Mr Perrottet said he has to learn more about the technology first before any commitments being made.

While Labor has remained hesitant of committing to a mandated trial of cashless gaming cards, Mr Perrottet faces significant opposition from within his party with the Nationals and some Liberal MPs against the move.

Minister Rob Stokes. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Nationals in particular are worried the key target of the card - aimed at cutting off money laundering through pokies - would have an oversized impact on clubs in the regions.

Mr Perrottet remained committed to implementing the measure saying he had had “constructive” talks with both the Nationals and some Liberal colleagues on the move.

“I’ve said myself I don’t believe we can be profiting off the misery of others,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I’ve said that the New South Wales government receives significant tax revenue. When I was treasurer, I was uncomfortable.

“I’ve also made it clear that my position is that I want to work with the industry to achieve that in this is a social issue that we all have a duty to solve and work towards and work towards that goal.”

LABOR REJECTS CASHLESS GAMING CARD TRIAL

Labor has refused to support a mandated cashless gaming card trial -- saying the pubs and clubs industry deserved complete due diligence before major reform.

Leader Chris Minns said we cannot dismiss the “economic impact” of gambling reform on clubs and pubs and there wasn’t enough evidence at this stage to support a mandated trial.

“Considering there are 120,000 people that are employed in the clubs and pubs industry, I think it’s important to do your due diligence about what the ultimate impact would be of these proposed changes,” he said.

“If the government at the end of the day is proposing a trial in NSW, we would be open to that. That would be bipartisan support and the trial would be expected to be in the city and the country... That would, we hope, give us the evidence base to consider the efficacy of those changes and the economic impact on those pubs and clubs.”

Mr Minns said if cashless gaming cards are introduced with a limit -- that would go beyond the suggestions of the Crime Commission.

Labor have announced they won’t support a trial of a cashless gambling card in NSW.

“It would have a larger economic impact on the pubs and clubs in this state.

Mr Minns’ clearest comments on his position on the gambling cards to date come as a fresh a fresh split has erupted in the Coalition over proposals to mandate a cashless gaming card for pokies players, as the government prepares to meet with clubs and pubs representatives on Thursday.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has described the introduction of the cards as the “destination” he wants to get to and has backed a move to more strongly regulate the pokies in a bid to stop money laundering.

His stance follows a report released by the Crime Commission recommending the introduction of the card to end laundering of money gained by illegal means.

“I've said that’s the destination we need to get to and I want to work with industry toobtain that in a way that ensures that businesses are on the journey with us, and at the same time protects our most vulnerable people in society. But also, in addition to that, it stops money laundering,” he said.

“We can’t have a situation where money that has been obtained through illegal processes is being thrown down pokie machines. It’s wrong and it needs to stop,” he said.

Nationals leader and Deputy Premier Paul Toole stopped short of agreeing his party was on the same trip regarding introducing the cashless gaming card.

“I’ve accepted exactly that there was a Crimes Commission report (which) talks about money laundering, and I know that these venues don’t want to see money laundering at all taking place,” he said, when asked if the Nationals were on board with the Premier’s “destination”.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole. Picture: David Swift

While Mr Toole agreed with the Premier that he wanted “to work with the industry”, he added “you can't impose something on any industry overnight”.

Mr Perrottet claimed meetings between the Coalition partners had been “constructive”, despite it being understood that members of both his Liberals and the Nationals are against the move.

“We had very constructive party room meetings yesterday about working with the industry and I can say from the Liberal side and the Nationals side. We support our clubs and we support our hotels because they play a very important role in our local communities,” he said on Wednesday.

The debate about pokies machines and the introduction of a cashless gaming card comes amid growing pressure from the NSW crossbench, headed by Independent MP Alex Greenwich, to move on the issue.

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns. Picture: Monique Harmer

It comes as NSW Labor leader Chris Minns took a swipe at powerful independent MP Alex Greenwich over his support for a cashless gaming card, declaring “one person doesn’t get to determine the future of New South Wales”.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has thrown his weight behind the controversial proposal to introduce the card, but will likely need the support of independents like Mr Greenwich to achieve the controversial measure – with the card threatening to tear divisions within the Coalition.

The Nationals are unlikely to support the card, and while Labor is yet to take a side on the proposal, Mr Minns said he wouldn’t show support for the measure until he had talked to industry and community bodies likely to be impacted.

“That’s why I’ll take the time to talk to all the groups in this debate,” Mr Minns said.

Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich. Picture: Damian Shaw

“I don’t think any political party in this debate hasn’t acknowledged the need for reform, particularly when it comes to problem gaming and criminal activity surrounding pokie machines.”

“This is a reform that will take time and we need to get it right.”

Mr Greenwich, the member for Sydney, said cashless gaming cards are “an evidence based policy response to reduce gambling harm and prevent money laundering”.

He also fired back at Labor and accused the party of backing “vested interests”.

“My track record shows I’ll always successfully pursue the bold and progressive reforms that Labor has proven themselves too afraid to bring to parliament,” he said.

“Why does Labor want to continue the damage of gambling harm and protect money launderers? It’s alarming that Labor is still backing vested interests over community benefit and evidence based policy. It’s in Labor seats where the most gambling harm is being done, and it’s time they put people ahead of pokies.”