Andrew Wilkie condemns pokies users breaching COVID restrictions

An independent MP has revealed vision from inside a local venue, claiming poker machine users were flouting social distancing laws, and risking a second wave of coronavirus in Tassie.

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INDEPENDENT MP Andrew Wilkie has shared footage from inside a local venue claiming some poker machine users are flouting social distancing laws and risking a second wave of coronavirus in Tasmania.

Mr Wilkie said he received the photographic and video evidence from a whistleblower on Thursday.

The images and short video show four people sitting “shoulder to shoulder” at neighbouring poker machines at the Carlyle Hotel in Derwent Park.

He said the image showed a “complete disregard” for government COVID-19 safety requirements.

“The Carlyle Hotel and a number of other poker machine venues in this state are flouting that requirement,” Mr Wilkie said.

“In doing so they might be maximising their profits, but they’re putting the community at risk and they’re putting the state at risk of a second wave.”

Mr Wilkie said the filmed poker machine users should stay “very alert” to their health and book a coronavirus test.

“We’ve seen in Victoria just how delicate the situation is and just how easy it is for success to turn into disaster,” he said.

“This is the time for Tasmanians and Tasmanian businesses to keep up their guard and to be extra careful.”

Supplied images from inside the Carlyle Hotel with punters blatantly ignoring social distancing rules while on the pokies.

A spokesman from the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group, which owns the Carlyle Hotel, said the organisation was aware of the relevant recommendations.

“We meet the government requirements under the WorkSafe comprehensive COVID-19 safety plan guidelines,” he said.

Page five of the Gambling COVID-Safe Workplace Guidelines has stated the number of customers able to play electronic gaming machines may need to decrease below venue capacity to comply with 1.5m distancing.

Further report recommendations include switching off every second EGM, preventing customers from sitting at machines next to other customers and displaying “not in use” signage at adjacent machines.

Mr Wilkie said ALH Group and the Carlyle Hotel is owned by Woolworths Group, which remains the largest poker machines operator in Australia despite announcing plans to divest from the controversial gambling medium last year.

The Member for Clark said he had heard other accounts of safety breaches at Tasmanian and interstate gambling venues, including Wrest Point.

Federal Group executive general manager Daniel Hanna said they were complying with safety regulations.

“WorkSafe Tasmania has visited Wrest Point and confirmed appropriate COVID safety practices are in place,” he said.

“Safety measures include caps on the number of people in each room and rigorous cleaning and hygiene processes.

“Wrest Point has hand sanitiser stations, new Play Safe clean teams that roam the property, and products for people to clean gaming machines.”

A State Government spokesman said the Carlyle Hotel images and other reports of social distancing breaches were “very disappointing”.

The spokesman said inspectors and police would attend venues in the coming weeks where complaints had been received.

“Where non-compliances are identified, fines are likely to be issued,” he said.

“We expect businesses to implement and follow their relevant industry COVID Safe Workplace Guidelines and ensure patrons comply with these requirements.”