Tasmanian Labor backing a voluntary card, instead of a mandatory one, is a shameful and shocking decision. Labor must get informed and get behind the evidence-based pokies reforms that will really protect vulnerable Tasmanians.
There is an outcry of community support calling on the Liberal government to stick to their promised comprehensive and mandatory pre-commitment card, but Labor have been conspicuously sidestepping their position. Now Luke Edmunds, their spokesperson on pokies matters, has come out declaring his party supports a voluntary card instead.
The pokies industry want voluntary card-based play and facial recognition technology instead of mandatory precommitment cards, The industry wants this because voluntary systems have been shown to be a failed harm reduction measure for over 90% of gambling addicts.
Labor is now parroting the pokies industry’s talking points. Clearly both Liberal and Labor politicians are under the industry’s thumb.
This backstep by Labor will push the Liberals further in the wrong direction, and allow them to do more of what the pokies industry want.
We are really concerned to see Labor’s spokesperson on pokies, Luke Edmunds, doesn’t seem to have a basic understanding of the key facts and evidence on this issue. It’s been widely reported, for years, that the Liquor and Gaming Commission recommended against facial recognition technology. Apparently, Mr Edmunds hasn’t read this coverage – let alone the critical report itself.
Tasmanians expect better of their elected representatives. Labor needs to do their job, get up to speed on this critical issue, and get behind the nation-leading reforms that are widely supported across the community.
