Media Release – Tasmanians back safer pokies reform

Media release | August 2021

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb invites the Tasmanian media to the release of the EMRS Omnibus Poll Results into Poker Machines.

“This polling shows that four in five Liberal voters and four in five Labor voters think casino poker machines should be taxed at the same rate as hotel poker machines,” Ms Webb said.

“Crucially, 71% of Liberal voters and 71% of Labor voters support lowering maximum bets to $1.

“Eight in 10 Liberal voters and nine in 10 Labor voters think licensing changes to poker machines should include consumer protection and harm minimisation.”

Ms Webb said the Gutwein Liberal Government poker machine policies are completely at odds with the views of the vast majority of Tasmanians when it comes to fundamental aspects of its gaming reforms.

“We already know from expert advice and independent modelling that the government’s policy fails to provide the best option for our state financially or socially – now we also know it conflicts with what Tasmanians want.

“This consistent agreement in the community across political lines is reflected in the financial support provided to undertake this polling, which included contributions from both Sir Max Bingham, former Liberal Deputy Premier and Attorney General of Tasmania, and Tim Jacobson, State Secretary of HACSU.

“The Tasmanian people think the government have got it wrong on key components of this reform.

Ms Webb said the EMRS polling – trusted by all political commentators and parties in Tasmania – is a mandate for both the Liberal Government and the Labor Party to make a fresh start on poker machine reform.

“It’s time for Liberal and Labor to make good policy and legislation based on expert advice that will have the support of the vast majority of the Tasmanian people.

“We know the current Liberal Government is indebted to the pokies industry for political support and is peddling industry-written policy to serve the vested interests of what will be a mere handful of large owners of pokies venues and cause higher harm in the community.

“It’s time for elected members of the Liberal Government to remember that first and foremost their duty is to the Tasmanian people, not to the financial backers who funded their election.

“It’s time for the elected members of the Labor Party to stand up for their values and demonstrate the leadership Tasmanians are crying out to see in an alternative government.”

EMRS POLLING QUESTIONS

Q. Do you think that poker machines in casinos and in hotels should be taxed at the same rate?

YES = 81%

No = 7%

(NB: those who answered ‘No’ to Q above were then asked “Would you support or oppose poker machines in casinos being taxed at a lower rate than poker machines in hotels?” TOTAL OPPOSE = 54% ; total support = 17%)

Q. Do you think the licensing changes to poker machines in Tasmania should include consumer protection and harm minimisation in the legislation?

YES = 85%

No = 6%

Q. Poker machines currently have a maximum bet limit of $5 per bet. Would you support or oppose lowering the limit from $5 to a maximum of $1?

TOTAL SUPPORT = 73%

Total oppose = 17%