Labor Leader Rebecca White’s hedging on her party’s position on poker machines controls simply won’t wash with a Tasmanian public that overwhelmingly wants strong action to limit gambling harms.
Speaking on ABC radio, the Opposition Leader was pushed on whether her party supported mandatory pre-commitment and card-based play for poker machines. Rather than giving the clear “yes” answer Tasmanians expect, she tried to wriggle her way through the interview without giving an answer.
Rebecca White was once a strong advocate for reducing the terrible damage pokies cause to so many Tasmanians. Since then, she has walked back from her admirable position on this issue.
Rebecca White’s disappointing non-answer has rightly provoked concern from anti-pokies’ campaigners, who have fought for years to get these policies in place. Removing poker machines from pubs and clubs remains the best way of reducing gambling harm, however the government’s planned measures would still be a vast improvement on the current situation.
Tasmanians should have confidence that no matter who forms government at the next election, these pokies reforms will be put in place. Although Shadow Justice Ella Haddad later confirmed Labor’s commitment on mandatory commitment, Tasmania should hear this clear statement from the Opposition Leader herself.
Before the last election Ms White was happy to sign a pledge to the Tasmanian Hospitality Association, which included a commitment that Labor would further the interests of pokies’ owners when in government.
Given the doubt she’s created of Labor’s sincerity on this issue, perhaps Rebecca White should consider signing a pledge to the Tasmanian community this time, to guarantee she will implement the planned pokies’ reforms in full.
