Labor leader Rebecca White backs down on poker machine policy

Labor has sensationally dumped its plan to ban poker machines from Tasmanian pubs and clubs, with Leader Rebecca White describing it as a “point in time” commitment that can’t be pursued.

LABOR says it will focus on minimising the harms caused by poker machines after sensationally dumping its plan to ban them from pubs and clubs.

Ms White told ABC Local Radio on Friday that Labor’s controversial policy was a “point in time” commitment that could no longer be pursued because the Liberals were negotiating an agreement that would extend poker machine licences to 2043.

She indicated her party would not block such legislation once it was introduced to Tasmanian parliament but would work with what was presented.

“We haven’t seen the legislation that’s required to give effect to their policy and we haven’t seen evidence of them negotiating a new deed with the Federal Group,” Ms White said.

MORE TASSIE NEWS

PONTING SIGNS MASSIVE COACHING DEAL

BRAITHWAITE TO GIVE HORSES A RUN AT CUP

SON OF BARRISTER ON TRIAL FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

PEDESTRIAN HIT BY TRUCK FLOWN TO RHH

CHARLES WOOLEY: THE HIGH COST OF DYING

“The fact of the matter is, once they do that, we’re not going to be able to continue to pursue our policy on removing poker machines from pubs and clubs because there’ll be a new deal struck until 2043.”

University of Tasmania corporate governance expert Tom Baxter said this was untrue.

“Today’s government can’t stop a future state parliament from legislating to amend pokies law — particularly not this government given its fluid parliament,” Dr Baxter said.

“So legally, Ms White need not change pokies policy, especially not now, before the government releases all its changes for parliament to consider.

“As such, Labor’s policy change is more for political than legal reasons. That’s its prerogative, but don’t pretend it’s a legal obligation.”

Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White visiting the Tasmania Fire Service centre at Huonville earlier this week. Picture: ROB BLAKERS/AAP

Clark independent MHR Andrew Wilkie said Tasmanian Labor members had voted in support of the party’s policy at its state conference after the election.

“This is a really grim day for this state because we know from polling that about four out of five Tasmanians want either no poker machines or less poker machines,” Mr Wilkie said.

“This was a policy that actually reflected the strong public view, and for state Labor to buckle under bullying from federal Labor, I think it’s unconscionable behaviour from federal Labor and I think it’s a spineless response from Tasmanian Labor.”

FEDERAL MP CLAIMS WHITE UNDER PRESSURE OVER POKIES POLICY

https://t.co/Y4bOeiH4J5 Shame on the Tasmanian Labor Party for dumping their policy to remove poker machines from hotels and clubs #auspol #politas

— Andrew Wilkie MP (@WilkieMP) February 7, 2019

Premier Will Hodgman said Ms White’s backdown showed “it’s all about politics and not about beliefs for Rebecca White”.

“You either believe in it or you don’t, and Rebecca White herself said they would continue to fight on this cause, that they believed in what they took to the election, but now a year on have abandoned that position,” Mr Hodgman said.

I've been involved in the pokies debate for 20+ years. The issue everyone agreed on is if that we are to have pokies, a well regulated single licence put to tender is the best model. The Libs/industry plan is even worse than the status quo &. will collapse under scrutiny.#politas

— James Boyce (@jamesboycebooks) February 8, 2019

The Community Voice on Pokies Reform Coalition, made up of 60 organisations, said today it would continue to speak out against the harms caused by poker machines.

“The majority of the Tasmanian community wants pokies out of their local pubs and clubs,” the group said in a statement.

“The election result has not changed this.”

Labor’s policy change was “a betrayal of every Tasmanian who voted for Labor on the basis of a position of principle”, Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said.

“It’s a betrayal of those disadvantaged individuals, families and communities harmed by poker machines in pubs and clubs,” Ms O’Connor said.

“It’s a betrayal of the community sector who has campaigned so hard for the removal of pokies from pubs and clubs, and backed in Labor’s position last March.”