Premier’s push for reform has echoes of Baird’s greyhound fiasco

Premier Dominic Perrottet has been walking a very fine line on his deeply held belief in reforming the state’s poker machine industry, writes James O’Doherty.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has been walking a very fine line on his deeply held belief in reforming the state’s poker machine industry.

On the one hand, Perrottet has declared that in taking money from pokies, the government is “taxing on the misery of others”.

He has vowed to deliver reforms to stop criminals laundering money through the pokies and problem gamblers “throwing their life savings” away.

When he first showed his hand on poker machine reform last month, it sent shivers down the spines of some colleagues.

The debacle of Mike Baird’s abandoned greyhounds ban is still fresh in the minds of Coalition MPs who know that kneejerk reforms can blow up in a government’s face.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is at risk

of repeating former premier Mike Baird’s reform backflip.

So in the month since, Perrottet has been careful to couch his desire to implement a cashless gaming card with the caveat that any changes must be done in consultation with - not opposition to - the industry.

The last thing the government needs is to open up a major fight with the NSW Clubs.

Former treasurer Mr Perrottet’s $1bn deal with The Star has opened a can of worms.

As I have previously revealed, Liberal and National party room meetings last week were dominated by backbenchers urging caution on any changes to the industry.

Local MPs - particularly in the bush - know the benefit clubs bring to their electorates in grants and sponsorships.

While speakers supported the “destination” where Perrottet is heading, they were worried about the electorally dangerous road to get there.

Revelations that Perrottet signed a deal giving the Star a preferential tax treatment on money fed through its poker machines will do little to allay fears in the government’s own party room.

Originally published as Premier’s push for reform has echoes of Baird’s greyhound fiasco