Turning point: How invoking religion for political gain is no longer tolerated

ClubsNSW boss Josh Landis played hardball in opposing a mandatory cashless gaming card but his lamentable comment invoking Perrottet’s Catholic faith went too far for contemporary society — as he has discovered, writes James O’Doherty.

It was a comment that sparked a political firestorm.

For Clubs NSW CEO Josh Landis, there would be no explaining his way out of this catastrophic error.

“The Premier has very little understanding of this issue and has acted from his conservative Catholic gut,” Landis was quoted by Nine Entertainment as saying on Monday.

Reacting to the comment on Tuesday, Premier Dominic Perrottet said it was offensive and an attack on all people of faith.

Landis immediately apologised — as he should have. He insisted the comments were not “premeditated” and he was wrong to make them.

Clubs NSW CEO Josh Landis accused the Premier of making his decisions based on his religious beliefs. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Hours later he issued a statement insisting that his comments were a “poor attempt” to explain that the Premier “is a moral person who intrinsically wants to help those who are causing themselves harm”.

But the damage had already been done, and by the end of the day Landis — a former Labor staffer — had ben sacked.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the remark was “offensive” to all people of faith. Picture: NCA NewsWire

As Perrottet said on 2GB, if Landis had replaced “Catholic” with “Islamic, Jewish or Hindu” then he would have had to hand in his resignation before he made it to work.

The ClubsNSW Board should be commended in sending a message that invoking someone’s faith in a political argument is unacceptable.

In an increasing a febrile society, invoking someone’s religious beliefs to make a political point is no longer acceptable.

Landis’ sacking will likely strengthen Perrottet’s hand in arguing for widespread pokies reform.

The comments gave anti-gambling advocates more ammunition to call for a widespread overhaul of poker machines in NSW.

Invoking religion in the debate even led one Liberal MP — a staunch backer of local clubs and cashless gaming card opponent — to anonymously condemn the former CEO.

Landis has played hardball in opposing a mandatory cashless gaming card, arguing it would be devastating to local clubs while failing to help stop problem gambling or money laundering.

A number of MPs, including ministers, supported this view.

Perrottet was always facing an uphill battle getting sweeping reforms through cabinet.

But after a particularly lamentable comment invoking Perrottet’s Catholic faith, Landis’ strong run has ended.