Pubs, clubs take aim at Labor’s pokies ban

PUBS  and clubs are hitting back at Labor over its no pokies election policy, with a new campaign encouraging Tasmanians to love their local drinking hole.

Former pokie addict Robert Kreshl backs Labor's policy of removing pokies from pubs and clubs. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

PUBS  and clubs are hitting back at Labor over its no pokies election policy, with a new campaign encouraging Tasmanians to love their local drinking hole.

In December, Labor state leader Rebecca White announced poker machines would be removed from pubs and clubs by 2023 under a Labor government, which would spend $55 million on the five-year phase out.

The Liberal Party has backed a 5 per cent reduction on machines statewide and the Greens had previously called for the removal of pokies in pubs and clubs.

Yesterday at the Deloraine Hotel, the Love Your Local Campaign was kicked off by North-West publican Michael Best and Tasmanian Hospitality Association southern councillor Paul Jubb to highlight the employment value pubs and clubs hold in local communities.

The campaign has also received support from wood chopping champion — and paid THA ambassador — David Foster.

Mr Foster said he was not a gambler but defended people’s right to choose how they spent their money.

“I don’t want to live in a community where some people think they have the right to tell other people what they can and can’t do,” he said.

“I love going to my local. My mum loves it too. She’s in a nursing home and doesn’t get out much, but every few weeks my wife and I take her out for a counter meal, a couple of drinks and a flutter on the pokies.

“Now we are being told we can’t do this or if we do, we’ve all got to go to Launceston or Hobart.”

In Hobart, former pokies addict Robert Kreshl spoke at a Labor press conference.

Mr Kreshl said he had not gambled in more than five years, but in the 12 years previous he had lost more than $250,000 to the pokies, leaving him homeless.

“I don’t see that this policy will take people’s right to choose away. The casino can have as many machines as they like, so people know where they can go,” he said.

“This policy will take away that momentary weakness in an individual where you put the money in the machine and the pokie bug bites you.”

Labor MLC Sarah Lovell said the community should listen to those who had been directly affected by pokies addiction.

“The voices we should be listening to are those like Robert who has lived through it,” she said.