Extensive questioning from the Greens in Parliament today has revealed Premier Jeremy Rockliff and his government are walking away from their promise for a comprehensive mandatory precommitment card for poker machines.
The Greens understand that during the election period earlier this year the Premier told the Tasmanian Hospitality Association he would make sure his government’s promised reforms did not go ahead.
We repeatedly asked Jeremy Rockliff in Parliament about what he told the THA, and he did not deny this statement. He also refused to endorse what has been, until now, his own government’s position.
If the Liberals still supported a mandatory pre-commitment card that follows all the recommendations made by the Liquor and Gaming Commission – including default loss limits, a single card for all venues, and one card only per person – the Premier would simply have said so. Instead, he dodged, weaved, and obfuscated.
Rather than answering basic questions about his relationship with the pokies lobby and about his policy plans, the Premier spoke at length about his concerns for the “economic impact and the effect on jobs” he says will result from reform. He also said outright that the government “are not going to ignore industry concerns.”
Over decades we’ve seen the pokies industry bully both Liberal and Labor politicians into doing their bidding. That’s what we’re seeing again right now.
I am shocked and furious that Jeremy Rockliff is walking away from these critical reforms. This is an appalling decision that will damage the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people.
It’s outrageous the Premier has caved into the demands of the pokies industry, but it’s not too late for him to change his mind. It’s time for him to show some courage and to do the right thing by unequivocally backing in every element of the pokies reform previously promised by this government.
