Government to press ahead with pokies reforms after pause

Finance Minister Michael Ferguson says legislation on gambling reforms will be before parliament this year.

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THE state government will press ahead with its controversial poker machine reforms and will present legislation to parliament this year, Finance Minister Michael Ferguson says.

Pokies were a key issue in the 2018 state election, but the government halted the reform process in March last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Ferguson on Tuesday announced it was back on.

“We did accept that the pandemic last year was a major disruption and we agreed to press pause on that, but we’ve reactivated it,” he said.

King Island Scheelite General Manager Chas Murcott, Minister for State Growth Michael Ferguson and Minister for Resources Guy Barnett at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“The submissions and the consultation report are now online and publicly available so Tasmanians can have a look at the feedback that’s been provided and the department’s response to those to those submissions.

“And we do intend to move on our policy through the Tasmanian parliament this year.

“Government’s position going into the last election was very clear and it also provides a greater support for the smaller venues to take a revenue share and a greater kick-in for the community support levy.”

The government has released submissions to its Future of Gaming in Tasmania consultation paper.

Most were from hotel and club venue operators, and most were supportive of government policy.

The proposed reforms include caps on poker machine numbers statewide at 2,350 machines, with current caps of 30 for a hotel and 40 for a club remaining.

Pubs and clubs would be able to own and operate machines, ending the monopoly enjoyed by Federal Group.

There will also be two new high-roller casino licences issued, one for Mona founder David Walsh.

Independent MLC for Nelson, Meg Webb at Kingston. Picture Chris Kidd

Legislative Councillor Meg Webb is a long-time anti-pokies campaigner who says the reforms to no do enoug hto protect problem gamblers.

“The Gutwein Government must release its modelling and evidence to demonstrate this policy and implementation framework is the best option for the Tasmanian community,” she said.

“The Government must guarantee that any reform to pokies licensing will not result in higher levels of harm to Tasmanians.”

“Numerous submissions are concerned that the proposed future gaming markets regulatory model is weighted too heavily to benefit industry at the expense of the community.

“But submissions from hotel operators express dissatisfaction and demand even more favourable and lucrative license conditions and profit-promoting features that put players at higher risk.

She called for $1 bet limits, six-second spin speeds, $1000 maximum jackpots and a 92 per cent minimum return to player rate.

And independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie said giving away the right to operate poker machines in exchange for relatively low licence fees would be a $350 million windfall for the state’s pubs and clubs.

“Imagine what a difference $350 million could make in our hospitals and schools. Imagine how many houses it could build.”

He described the policy as a payday for the industry which bankrolled the Liberals’ 2018 election victory.

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