Major parties under the whip

Media Release | 11 October 2021  

Independent Member for Nelson today accused Tasmania’s major parties of being under the whip in the pokies and political donation debate.

“It’s clear both Liberal and Labor have got their riding orders and are now being whipped to the finish line by the gaming industry and its stakeholders,” Ms Webb said.

“It doesn’t get much more obvious than the Gutwein Liberal Government’s policy literally has being written by the Federal Group and the Tasmanian Hospitality Association,

“The Labor Party is no better – its MoU with industry gives the THA veto power over any harm minimisation to be considered.

“So the best we can expect to see is a bogus, industry-approved gesture from Labor on that front.”

Ms Webb said this is what Australia’s weakest donations laws deliver Tasmanians – an industry that is a massive, but largely undisclosed, electoral donor to both major parties – being delivered a lucrative policy return on their investment.

“Tasmanians will be outraged that numerous MPs voting on this gambling legislation will have received financial support, directly or via their party, from the industry that will be reaping super profits from the reforms it proposes.

“Any MP voting on this bill who has received industry donations – or whose party received industry donations – should declare it openly and honestly to the Tasmanian people. 

“Their silence on this will be very telling.”

Ms Webb said the Liberal Government’s gaming legislation has missed the opportunity to include effective, evidence-based consumer protection to genuinely reduce the level of pokies addiction.

“Only an irresponsible Government and Opposition would refuse to put simple measures in place to make an addictive product safer to use.

“Their failure will be a clear message that industry profits from addiction come well above the wellbeing of Tasmanians.”

Ms Webb said this major reform has not been afforded proper public scrutiny.

“It utterly fails to get the best deal for Tasmania – socially or economically.

“It introduces new gambling products to our State, gives casinos massive tax discounts and drives us towards higher levels of pokies addiction and harm. 

“If the Government and Opposition tries to rush this complex bill through Parliament without proper examination, we will know exactly who is pulling their strings and whose interests they are serving.”

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