MEDIA
The gambling social and economic impact study should be taken seriously
The gambling social and economic impact study is a legislated requirement under the Gaming Control Act, one which deserves to be taken seriously and have the government genuinely seek community input. Meg Webb with Aaron Stevens on Tasmania Talks.
Fears new gambling and poker machine study results will be ignored
An outspoken pokies critic has raised concerns an upcoming study into the economic and social effects of gambling in Tasmania will be ignored by policymakers. ECONOMIST Saul Eslake has been appointed to help carry out a three-yearly study into the effects of...
Media Release – Calls to Extend Public Consultation for Gambling Impact Study
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today called for the public consultation period for the fifth Social and Economic Impact Study of Gambling in Tasmania (SEIS) to be extended.“In simple terms, six weeks is not enough time. This call come on top of revelations...
Spike in pokies losses completely predictable
Department of Treasury and Finance figures show $19,428,375 have poured into the machines in July – that’s $626,721 per day - and this spike in pokies losses was completely predictable. Meg Webb MLC talks with Martin Agatyn 7AD FM.
Underestimating the problem
Letter to to the Editor The Premier is being untruthful every time he says "only 0.6 per cent" of Tasmanians are problem gamblers. He knows this because experts who conduct these prevalence studies say it is an underestimate.The data comes from a long phone survey...
Almost $20 million lost in Tasmanian poker machines over one month
Poker machine losses increased by 26 per cent in July compared to the previous July, Treasury figures show.The recently released figures show $19.4 million was lost to the machines in their first full month of operation in the state since coronavirus restrictions were...
Tasmanian’s pouring money into poker machines at record levels
Meg Webb MLC says pokies revenue of close to $20m does not stay in Tasmania and does not benefit local businesses or communities. LA FM Tasmania News 28 Aug 20
Pokies Revenue Skyrockets
Tasmanians are pouring their money into poker machines at record levels according to newly released Treasury data.It shows a 28 percent spike on pre-pandemic pokie revenue and nearly $20 million in player losses throughout July across the state - $626,721 dollars a...
July Pokies Losses Close to $20M
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said today Tasmanian poker machine losses have sky-rocketed to close to $20 million for July. “Department of Treasury and Finance figures show $19,428,375 have poured into the machines in July – that’s $626,721 per day,” Ms Webb...
What happened when Tasmania’s poker machines reopened
Poker machines in Tasmania reopened in June after the COVID-19 shutdown. In July, losses sky-rocketed to close to $20 million. That's up 28 per cent on February and an increase of 26 per cent on July last year. Independent Member for Nelson, Meg Webb explains. ...
Opinion – A choice at the end of life
This month, the End of Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Private Members Bill will be tabled in the Upper House of Tasmania’s Parliament. On 15 September, it will be debated and, if successful, it will then go to the Lower House to be debated and voted on...
Renewed calls for a COVID-19 Parliamentary Scrutiny Committee
ABC News | Meg Webb MLC supports calls to reinstitute the her Upper House Motion calling for an inquiry into Tasmania's COVID-19 emergency response. Hear the debate calling for a Joint COVID-19 Parliamentary Scrutiny Committee
Opinion – We need to work together to end homelessness
Homelessness can touch the lives of almost anyone. The unexpected combination of only a few life events – the loss of a job, a serious health crisis, family breakdown or family violence - can lead to someone facing homelessness.This year, the global COVID-19 pandemic...
Opinion – Tasmanian’s need to know where the buck stops in this crisis
Parliamentary democracies are not generally in the habit of handing over untrammelled power to non-elected individuals. However, recent events seem to suggest that is precisely what has happened in Tasmania.The State Controller, Police Commissioner Darren Hine,...
Opinion – Home is more than a roof over your head
HOMELESSNESS can touch the lives of almost anyone.The unexpected combination of only a few life events – the loss of a job, a serious health crisis, family breakdown or family violence – can lead to someone facing homelessness.We also know that there are structural...
Tasmanians lose $2.6 million on Pokies in 5 days
Reopened poker machines post-COVID-19 closures cost Tasmanians $2.6m in just 5 days. Meg Webb MLC talks with Aaron Stevens, Tasmania Talks.
Secrecy surrounds report into submissions on donations
In a bid to make electoral donations more transparent, the government commissioned a report – which it is keeping secret. Public submissions on ways the government could reduce the secrecy surrounding electoral donations have been kept secret for the past 12...
Tasmanian punters blow $2.6 million in post-COVID pokies gambling binge
Poker machines were idle for months in Tasmania due to COVID-19 restrictions. But their reopening was accompanied by a five-day binge in which punters blew millions of dollars. THE reopening of the state’s poker machines was accompanied by a five-day binge in which...
Tasmanian Treasury data reveals poker machine expenditure following lockdown
Tasmanians lost $2.6 million through electronic gaming machines over five days last month after their use was permitted again. Gaming venues were required to close on March 23 due to coronavirus public health restrictions.Gaming activities were allowed to start again...
Tasmanians lose $525k a day
ABC Radio LauncestonTasmanians lost $525k in just 5 days. Meg Webb speaks with Piia Wirsu ABC Radio Launceston about the impact of re-opening poker machines following COVID19 lockdowns.
Media Release – Poker Machine Losses Jump
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said Department of Treasury and Finance figures show Tasmanian poker machines losses of $2.6 million, or $525,000 per day, in the five days venues were open in June. “With even with fewer machines operating due to social...
$2.6 million blown on Tasmanian pokies in less than a week
7AD Devonport Meg Webb speaks with Martin Agatyn about the huge pokies losses in Tasmania following the reopening of poker machines on 26 June 2020.
Media Release – Government transparency needed on promised electoral reforms
Government transparency needed on promised electoral reforms10 July 2020The Gutwein government must urgently provide Tasmanians an update on the stalled promised election transparency reforms, according to Independent Member for Nelson, Meg Webb MLC.“The March 2018...
COVID-19 Parliamentary Scrutiny Committee Call
ABC Drive with Lucy BreadanTasmania misses out on the opportunity for greater scrutiny of the Government's COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery. Meg Webb's call for a joint Parliamentary Select Committee passes the Upper House but lost in the Lower House using the...
Details sought on pokies modelling ahead of venues reopening
THE State Government is being urged to release social and economic impact modelling of the proposed new poker machine licensing arrangements.The Legislative Council yesterday endorsed a motion by independent MLC Meg Webb for the public release of any modelling...
Pokies Social and Economic Impact Modelling Motion Endorsed
Meg Webb MLC speaks with Leon Crompton ABC Breakfast about her Motion calling on the Tasmanian Govt to release economic and social impact modelling for the proposed poker machine licencing plan.
Media Release – Call for Government to Release Impact Modelling of New Pokies Licensing Plan
The Legislative Council today endorsed a call for the Tasmanian government to release social and economic impact modelling of the proposed new poker machine licensing arrangements.Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb - who moved the motion calling for the public...
Call to study impact of government’s new poker machine legislation supported by upper house
A motion calling on the government to release modelling on the social and economic impact of its proposed new poker machine licensing legislation has been supported by the upper house.The motion, introduced by Nelson independent MLC Meg Webb, also acknowledged...
Call to delay pokies shot down
A call to delay the reopening of poker machines in Tasmania until the impact of their closure during COVID-19 has been evaluated has been firmly shot down by the Premier.Nelson independent MLC Meg Webb said it would be irresponsible to reopen the gaming rooms as...
Opinion – Opportunity to reset approach to pokies
The COVID-19 crisis has reconfirmed some fundamental truths.Health and wellbeing take precedence over literally everything. All other policy areas, including the economy, can be bent in service of health.Leaving anyone behind hurts us all. The more we support those...
