MEDIA
Tasmanians lost $18 million on poker machines in August
Helen Kempton | Mercury Newspaper | September 28, 2020 The latest poker machine data shows $18M in losses were recorded in Tasmania in August – a massive surge since machines were switched back on after the pandemic. See what areas lead the charge. THE amount of...
Tasmanian poker machine losses surge to almost $600,000 per day
Bob Burton | Tasmanian Inquirer | September 28, 2020 Over $137 million lost over the past year New government data reveal losses on Tasmanian poker machines were almost $600,000 per day in August, significantly higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.Data added...
Media Release – $18 Million Pokies Losses in August
Meg Webb | Media Release | September 28, 2020 Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said Tasmania recorded massive pokies losses of more than $18 million in August - $598,530 per day.“Tragically, $18,554,436 pouring into machines is more than $18 million not going...
Meg Webb decries ‘negligent’ government, pokies losses still high
An independent MLC has criticised the state government for not undertaking assessments of the potential economic and social risks of reopening poker machine venues during the COVID-19 pandemic.Right to Information documents show the state government didn't assess the...
Media Release – Government’s Negligence Over COVID-19 Pokies
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said today Right to Information response reveals social and economic impact assessments were not undertaken prior to the opening of gaming venues in late June.“This is despite the Gutwein Liberal Government being presented with...
Tasmania soon to have new process to deal with major development proposals
The government's controversial major projects legislation is set to pass through Parliament without significant amendments.This is despite almost 30 amendments from Nelson independent MLC Meg Webb, including one to introduce into the legislation a rights of appeal...
Tasmania soon to introduce major projects laws
The state government's major projects legislation is likely to pass next week after debate in the Legislative Council was adjourned on Thursday night.The laws will take projects considered to large or complex out of the hands of local councils for assessment by an...
Govt must release pokies modelling
Meg Webb calls on the Government to release economic and social modelling as soon as possible - ABC News
Tasmania’s Legislative Council debates laws to better enable major projects assessment
The state's major projects legislation is expected to be altered by a slew of amendments, unnerving the government which has threatened to torpedo its own legislation.Debate on the major projects bill started in the Legislative Council on Wednesday night and will...
Call for gambling study consultation period to be extended
The public consultation period for the fifth Social and Economic Impact Study of gambling in Tasmania should be extended, one MLC says.Nelson independent MLC Meg Webb said the six week consultation period should be extended by another month."This will ensure the...
Pokies losses increase
The Kingborough community, and Tasmania as a whole, is losing increased amounts of money to poker machines in the wake of the coronavirus lockdowns, as revealed by updated figures for July. Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC said Tasmanian poker machine losses...
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...
