‘Rape and pillage’: Regulator shocks industry with pokies comments
The woman who has the ultimate say over how pubs and clubs operate likened the actions of the industry to raping local communities, sparking an extraordinary slap down from the gaming and racing minister.
NSW
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The woman who has the ultimate say over how pubs and clubs operate has been caught out likening the actions of the industry to raping local communities, sparking an extraordinary slap down from Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris over the comments.
Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) chair Caroline Lamb stunned a room full of industry lawyers on Wednesday when she declared the industry has “no social licence to rape and pillage the community”.
The Saturday Telegraph can reveal that Mr Harris will publicly rebuke Ms Lamb for the comments, by issuing ILGA a directive that “public comments should require professionalism, clarity and awareness of responsibility”.
“The minister will be issuing a ministerial direction making clear the government’s expectations of the statutory decision maker,” a spokesman said.
“ILGA is required to undertake its statutory functions in a manner that promotes public confidence in its decision-making and the conduct of its members.”
Mr Harris’ spokesman said the minister was “aware” of the comments made at a legal breakfast during a discussion about poker machine regulations.
The comments came when Ms Lamb was advising solicitors on how they could prepare applications for pubs and clubs to change or extend their operating hours, including the hours when patrons can play the pokies.
Attendees had asked questions about why ILGA had been seeking to wind back operating hours.
According to one attendee, Ms Lamb suggested pubs and clubs seeking to extend their hours should highlight the “good work” they are doing in their communities, rather than relying on legal arguments alone.
She then said the industry has “no social licence to rape and pillage the community”.
One attendee said there was an “audible gasp” when Ms Lamb made the remarks.
Ms Lamb refused to back down from the comments on Friday.
In a statement, an ILGA spokeswoman said the remarks were made “to emphasise that the objects of the liquor and gaming legislation require the Authority to have due regard to harm minimisation”.
“No one was suggesting that industry has a licence to “rape and pillage” the community. It was clear from the context the chairperson’s point was the need for balance in a dynamic regulatory environment.”
“ILGA readily acknowledges the positive work of venues in their local communities.”
The authority did not specifically address questions about whether Ms Lamb has an ideological objection to aspects of the industry she has authority over.
“ILGA is an independent regulator which considers the objects of the legislation it administers and makes decisions as a collective body,” the spokeswoman said.
Ms Lamb’s comments are the latest flashpoint in the ongoing war between ILGA and the venues it polices.
Last year, the Telegraph revealed that ILGA had been frustrating the removal of poker machines from high risk areas by imposing tough new restrictions to stop people playing the pokies after midnight.
The strained relationship between ILGA and the Minns government forced the Minister to remind the authority that selling booze and playing the pokies is “legal”.
Mr Harris spokesman said pokies regulation is designed to both minimise harm and facilitate “balanced development” of the industry.
“The hospitality industry contributes billions to the NSW economy and employs over 150,000 people,” he said.
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