State Government’s poker machine reforms face test in Legislative Council

A motion critical of the State Government’s poker machine reforms will be one of the first matters the Upper House considers when it resumes this week.

THE Government’s poker machine reforms face a test in the Legislative Council this week as Members debate a motion critical of the policy.

Independent MLC for Nelson Meg Webb’s motion will be one of the first matters the Upper House considers when it resumes on Tuesday.

The State Government’s first round of public consultation on the future regulation of poker machines, casinos and Keno was released for public comment last month.

The period for public comment on the implementation of the changes — which will apply from July 2023 — ends on Wednesday and draft legislation is expected to be made public in April.

Ms Webb’s motion calls for the Legislative Council to note the harmful effects of poker machines in Tasmania and calls on the Government to release the social and economic modelling of its proposed new licensing arrangements.

The result will be a litmus test on where the house of review might stand on the substantive legislation.

Ms Webb said the Government’s proposed legislative changes were not backed by evidence and the consultation was severely limited in its scope.

“It’s time for the Government to answer the concerns raised in an open and accountable way, well before any legislation is brought to parliament,” she said.

“This is the single point in time we have to make policy and legislation that will reduce the harm caused by poker machines in Tasmania.

“We aren’t just looking at a model for the next 20 years, if the Government’s individual licence proposal goes ahead, this is likely to be our forever model.

“We know from reliable evidence around Australia and overseas that gambling harm exacerbates homelessness, family violence, mental ill-health and can lead to higher rates of crime and imprisonment but we don’t have Tasmanian data about these issues to inform our decision-making.”

The Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Leonie Hiscutt said the Government had taken its policy to an election.

“The Liberals have a clear stance on the way forward for gaming, unlike the Labor Party which continues to duck and weave,” she said.

“We have now taken details of our proposed future gaming market reforms out to the community for open consultation, which is ongoing. Even Ms Webb is welcome to make a submission.”

“The Legislative Council will have the opportunity later this year to review and debate these reforms, which includes our nation-leading harm minimisation measures and an increased Community Support Levy along with provisions for future social and economic impact studies.”

David Killick, Mercury Newspaper | March 16, 2020 | Picture: Richard Jupe