WATCH: Labor lashed over pokies response

The Liberals and the Greens have lashed Labor for its failure to support poker machine reforms claiming it is ‘an example of the Labor Party standing for nothing.’ Watch Labor fumble a response.

THE Liberals and the Greens have lashed Labor for its failure to support poker machine reforms.

Treasurer Michael Ferguson last week announced world-leading mandatory precommitment rules to cap poker machine losses by individual gamblers.

The move won praise from campaigners, but has not yet been endorsed by Labor.

The party took a policy of abolishing pokies to the 2018 election, but signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tasmanian Hospitality Association to consult on policy before the 2021 poll.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he was surprised that despite almost universal support beyond the THA, Labor had been silent on the proposal.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he was suprised that despite almost universal support beyond the THA, Labor has been silent on gambling reforms proposal.

“It surprises me that they’re making up their mind, given the Leader of Opposition clearly said in parliament that they support mandatory precommitment,” he said.

“But nonetheless, this is an example of the Labor Party standing for nothing.

“Heaven help us if they ever get into government. They stand for no new infrastructure ever being built, clearly, they cannot make a decision on harm minimisation when it comes to gambling reform.

“And they need to really get out of the politics and start making some calls so Tasmanians understand fully what they do stand for. At the moment they are doing no service to the Tasmanian community, whinging on the sidelines, making no decisions and just criticising everything that the government do.

Deputy Labor leader Anita Dow said her party was still considering the policy.

Tasmanian Labor deputy Anita Dow said her party was still considering the policy. Picture: Chris Kidd

“We’re going to take the time to look at the government’s policy announcement. We want to understand the details, often the devil is in the details and we want to understand how the government is going to implement this new policy.

“The government and Michael Ferguson have got a long record of making announcements, but rarely if every delivering.

She said Labor has called for the introduction of card-based play, but wanted time to examine the details of the government’s proposal.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor, who has backed the government’s proposed reforms, also criticised Labor’s silence.

“We need to know and Tasmanians deserve to know whether the Labor Party is prioritising how minimisation the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians or whether it’s prioritising the industry.

“And at the moment, given their near deafening silence, we think out their bowing down to industry.

“This from a party that went to the last, the 2018 state election, vowing to remove poker machines from pubs and clubs and now they won’t even commit to harm minimisation measures, which are nation-leading, and which we know will save lives and livelihoods.”

‘$1 max bets, restricted pokie hours should be on the table’

THE Greens have joined the chorus of support for government plans to put caps on pokie losses.

Treasurer Michael Ferguson on Thursday announced mandatory precommitment cards will be introduced for all electronic gaming ­machine venues.

They will by default cap losses to $100 in a day, $500 in a month and $5000 in a year.

Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor accused the Tasmanian Hospitality Association of “throwing a tantrum” over the decision.

Leader of the Greens Cassy O’Connor

“Like most, we were shocked by yesterday’s news but only because so rarely does government take on the gambling industry,” she said.

“The Tasmanian Hospitality Association has predictably gone in to meltdown. The last thing Steve Old and his cronies want is effective harm minimisation technology. Without pokies addicts, their business model falls over.”

“Pokies cause profound individual and social harm. They destroy lives and livelihoods.

“While the Greens stand by our policy to remove pokies from pubs and clubs, mandatory precommitments and caps on expenditure are the next best thing.”

Independent member for Clark Kristie Johnston, who has long been outspoken about the impact of poker machines in her electorate also welcomed the government‘s announcement.

“After many years campaigning for harm minimisation measures, I’m pleased to see the Government take action and stand up against the gambling industry,” she said.

“A properly monitored and implemented precommitment scheme has potential to minimise harm caused by poker machine addiction, but the devil is in the detail and we are yet to see it.

“However, it is important to realise that this is no magic fix, even with the limits announced by the Government.

“Losses of $100 per day can still cause immense harm and destroy lives.

“Ultimately, a precommitment scheme targets the user and does nothing to address the dangerous and addictive features of the machines themselves.

“That’s why I have and will continue to campaign for other harm minimisation measures such as $1 maximum bets, slower spin speeds and restricted gaming venue opening hours.”

Ms Johnston said the real impact of the scheme will be seen in those municipalities that experience the highest losses from poker machines.

“The real test for this precommitment scheme will be in an area like Glenorchy, where the community currently loses close to $2 million per month.

“I’ll be monitoring this very closely.”

The scheme is expected to be in place in 2024.

Pokies loss cap plan wins plaudits from campaigners

WORLD-LEADING reforms to limit the amount of money gamblers can lose on poker machines in the state’s pubs, clubs and casinos will be introduced by the Tasmanian government.

Treasurer Michael Ferguson announced on Thursday that mandatory precommitment cards will be introduced for all electronic gaming ­machine venues and will by default cap losses to $100 in a day, $500 in a month and $5000 in a year.

Gamblers will be able to lower the limits at any time or raise them if they can show they are able to afford greater losses. The reforms were hailed by anti-gambling ­campaigners as a bold and welcome move.

“Routine default precommitment that applies statewide in Tasmania is the gold standard of harm minimisation measures,” Mr Ferguson said.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Michael Ferguson speaks to the media at the Executive Building in Hobart on Thursday, September 15, 2022.

“Tasmania is the first state to announce a scheme of this kind. It will provide those most at risk of gambling harm with protection while having no impact on recreational gamblers.”

Gamblers will be required to show identification to obtain a card at pokies venues.

The finer details of the scheme are yet to be determined, but cards are likely to require a personal identification number (PIN) to allow access. The measures are expected to be in place in all Tasmanian venues by 2024.

Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission chair Jenny Cranston described the announcement as a major achievement. “This is part of a great movement forward in protecting people,” she said.

“It’s not just about protecting those who might suffer harm,” Ms Cranston said.

“For the first time, every person who uses a gaming machine in Tasmania will be able to have their data tracked and they will be able to know exactly what they’re spending and how much they’re losing across all venues across a period of time.

“This will be a very valuable tool for everybody who uses a gaming machine in Tasmania,” she said.

MLC Meg Webb – a longtime critic of government gambling policy – said she was thrilled by the announcement. “What we’ve seen today from the state government could be the first time ever that we’ve seen pokies policy not written by industry brought in, in the best interests of our state and the people of Tasmania. That’s something I welcome strongly and warmly,” she said.

Nelson MLC Meg Webb speaks to the media on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Thursday, September 15, 2022.

“We absolutely have to get this right. This is nation-leading reform when it comes to poker machines and reducing harm, we can take the time to get a rock solid system in place to get the best value and the most harm reduction out of this new approach.”

Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive Steve Old said the announcement is in direct contradiction to all public statements and conversations with government.

“Tasmanians entrusted the Liberal government at he 2018 election with their vote because they supported freedom and choice. Freedom and choice have been sacrificed by the Rockliff Liberal Cabinet at the expense of a fair go,” he said.

TasCOSS chief executive Ms Adrienne Picone said it was a sign the government had listened to the concerns of Tasmanians about the amount of money lost on pokies, as well as the experts when it comes to reducing gambling harm.

“This is a strong example of public policy that is responsive to community voices and is grounded in evidence,” Ms Picone said.

Longtime anti-gambling campaigner and federal MP for Clark Andrew Wilkie also welcomed the move. “The system will be an Australian first and put considerable pressure on the territories and other states to follow suit.

“I expect the poker machine industry to fight tooth and nail against this reform, but that will just be another demonstration of that industry’s complete and utter disregard for the public interest.”

Mr Ferguson announced the Tasmanian Hospitality Association would receive $268,000 to deliver industry support and training on the new measures.

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