Federal MP claims Rebecca White is under pressure over party’s pokies policy

A Federal MP says it is an “open secret” that the federal branch of the Labor Party is leaning on Opposition leader Rebecca White to drop her pokies policy.

Labor leader Rebecca White did not dispute she was under pressure to drop the policy.

ANDREW Wilkie says it is an “open secret” in Canberra the federal Labor Party is leaning on Tasmanian Opposition Leader Rebecca White to drop her pokies policy.

In a Talking Point in Saturday’s Mercury, the Denison independent MHR argued Ms White was under “extraordinary pressure” to abandon state Labor’s policy to have pokies taken out of pubs and clubs, and quarantined in the Country Club and Wrest Point casinos.

“Recently Ms White has been open in meetings with others about the pressure she’s under,” Mr Wilkie wrote.

Andrew Wilkie. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“Make no mistake, Ms White’s plan to get poker machines out of pubs and clubs will save lives and federal Labor knows this.

“I object to seeing any politician being told by their boss to betray their constituents, all to allow federal Labor to appease the aggressive and irresponsible lobbyists in the industry in the run-up to the federal election.”

Ms White on Friday reacted with fury to Mr Wilkie’s claims but did not dispute she was under pressure to drop the policy that inspired a loud, industry-funded campaign against her party.

“Labor took a strong policy to the 2018 state election based on the fact the deed governing gaming machines was up for renewal,” Ms White said.

“Unfortunately we did not win the election and the Liberal Government is currently renegotiating the deed to 2023.

“The federal election will be fought on federal issues and I would encourage Mr Wilkie to focus on articulating what he intends to actually deliver for the people of Clark [the new name for the electorate of Denison] if he is re-elected.”

The offices of federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Franklin Labor MHR Julie Collins were contacted for comment but did not respond.

A Mercury survey of 1362 people found about 80 per cent of readers wanted fewer or no pokies in Tasmania.

READERS WANT FEWER OR NO POKIES IN TASMANIA

The gaming regulator’s latest figures show Tasmanians spent about $175 million in the machines last financial year.

The Labor Party owns poker machines in the ACT.