Updated December 13, 2017 13:22:01
Electronic gaming machines will be removed from Tasmanian pubs and clubs by 2023 under Labor's gambling policy announced today.
The move, which would see around 2,300 poker machines stripped out of venues across the state over the next five years, but remain in casinos, was unveiled today as part of Labor's pitch for government at the looming March state election.
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Under the Labor policy, a $55 million package would be implemented to assist affected venues.
A 'club sustainability fund' of $5 million would 'ensure important clubs, like RSLs', can be viable, Labor said.
The policy includes:
- $20 million 'transitional support for venues that choose to surrender their machines prior to 2023'
- $25 million 'loan pool to provide long-term, low-interest loans to businesses transitioning to new business models'
- $500,000 in grants to sporting clubs
- $500,000 in 'business development advice'
- $4 million for 'staff retraining and professional development'
In a statement, Labor said the 'harmful impacts of poker machine gambling are widespread'.
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'They affect an individual's health, their family, relationships and work. For every person who is harmed by their own gambling, seven other people are affected.'
Labor leader Rebecca White said: 'The Liberals are not willing to make this decision, which is the right one for the economy and the right decision for Tasmanians.'
Under a monopoly licence all poker machines in Tasmania are operated by one company, the Federal Group, which is wholly owned by the Sydney-based Farrell family.
Ms White said Labor would 'give notice to Federal Hotels that the current deed allowing poker machines in venues other than casinos will not be extended beyond 2023'.
'The gaming deed with Federal Hotels clearly states that the earliest date notice can be given to vary arrangements is July 2018.
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'We have a once-in-a-generation chance to make the right decision and the right decision is to remove poker machines from our suburbs and towns and keep them in casinos,' Ms White said.
'Research shows more than 80 per cent of Tasmanians want poker machines out of pubs and clubs — I have listened, Labor has listened and we are ready to do the right thing.'
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'It's quite clear to us, and we have every confidence, this would actually create jobs,' Ms White said.
She said last financial year, Tasmanians lost $110 million on poker machines in pubs and clubs, 'money that could be better spent in our communities supporting small business and families'.
'The recirculation of that $110 million in the Tasmanian community has been demonstrated to increase 180 jobs across Tasmania if only half of that money is re-spent in the communities,' Ms White said.
Labor had been under significant pressure to release its poker machine policy, after a number of MPs indicated the party was leaning towards watering down its position.
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Anglicare Tasmania welcomed Labor's announcement and said it was 'pleased politicians were catching up with community sentiment'.
'Labor has responded to the clear vision of Tasmanians who want thriving local neighbourhoods free of poker machines,' Anglicare's Meg Webb said in a statement.
'They examined the evidence, listened to local communities and have made the right choice on this issue.'
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Ms Webb said 'the opportunity is still there for the Liberal Government to reconsider its policy'.
Labor's gambling policy stands at odds with the Government, which has said it wants to open up to tender the rights to operate EGMs outside the casino environment after 2023, with a reduction of 150 machines across the state.
In September, a joint parliamentary committee decided against recommending a ban on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in Tasmanian pubs and clubs, but urged a 'significant' reduction in machine numbers.
The committee's Future Gaming Markets Report found of the gambling industry's $311 million revenue in 2015 to 2016, the Government recovered $96.4 million in taxes, fees, penalties and levies.
It also found gaming revenues contribute 1 per cent of state revenue.
Topics:gambling, political-parties, government-and-politics, tas
First posted December 13, 2017 11:22:04