Once in a generation chance

Kingborough Chronicle | 9 November 2021  

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb MLC aims to send the Tasmanian Government’s contentious Future Gaming Markets legislation to a parliamentary inquiry this week.

In a media release on Monday, November 8, Ms Webb questioned whether the Government’s bill would deliver the best outcome for the community.

“This bill needs further scrutiny on the grounds critical elements have not received adequate public examination and it fails to deliver best value for our State,” Ms Webb said.

“There is a very simple question all Upper House members should ask themselves during the debate this week: ‘Does this bill deliver the best possible outcomes for the Tasmanian community?’

“Based on all independent expert advice the answer is a resounding no. Given that, we have no option but to refer it for proper scrutiny in a committee.

“A parliamentary inquiry would undertake a thorough examination of these industry-written reforms and assess their impact on our state, socially and financially.”

Ms Webb said the lack of modelling, absence of meaningful consultation and continuation of special deals through tax concessions are just some of the reasons the bill needs greater examination.

“We all know that the casino pokies tax rate was withheld from the Tasmanian public during the May election, despite being signed off on by Federal Group in December last year.

“The Government continues to duck awkward questions over how and when the casino tax deal was arrived at and the quarter of a billion dollars it puts in Federal Group’s pocket, instead of going into Tasmanian hospitals and schools.

“The Legislative Council has a fine tradition of standing up at key moments of gambling reform, and it now faces a critical once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better protect Tasmanians from the harm caused by pokies.

“We can make pokies safer to use with no negative affect on recreational use or jobs, and that’s exactly what Tasmanians want these reforms to do.

“Post-election polling in August shows 71 per cent of Liberal voters and 71 per cent of Labor voters support lowering maximum bets on poker machines from $5 to $1.

“Eight in 10 Liberal voters and nine in 10 Labor voters think this legislation should include consumer protection and harm minimisation.

Ms Webb said both the Government and Labor Opposition were prepared to sacrifice vulnerable Tasmanians for their own political self-interest.

“The refusal by the cowardly coalition of the Liberal and Labor parties to stare down industry interests and put Tasmanians first has shocked many in the community.

“The clear indicator that this is a pro-industry Bill is the deafening silence of gaming industry operators in the current public debate.

“Clearly, the gaming lobby don’t need to say anything further as they have secured what they want.

“Clearly, the Gutwein Liberal Government, with its industry-designed and dictated policy, is prioritising profit for the major players over the well-being of vulnerable Tasmanians.

“This pro-industry Bill clearly fails to place the best interests of the Tasmanian community first.

“It is critical the Parliament does not fail to do so.

If a Parliamentary Inquiry into the Future Gaming Markets Bill doesn’t get support, Ms Webb flagged she has prepared a comprehensive suite of amendments to the Bill.

“I will fight for these on the floor of Parliament.

“The amendments relate to the following areas:

• Inclusion of harm minimisation and consumer protection measures;
• The powers and functions of the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission;
• taxation rates
• community say on pokies numbers;
• new gambling products;
• review of penalties, data collection and reporting;
• licence periods;
• ownership limitations; and
• various miscellaneous matters.

See more of Meg’s recent media.

See more on Pokies Reform