Wilkie’s state poll pokies battle

ANTI-POKIES candidates are preparing to take on the major parties at next year’s state election and could have the backing of federal MP Andrew Wilkie.

Mr Wilkie has warned the Liberal and Labor parties that policies keeping poker machines in pubs and clubs could mean independents campaigning on the issue against them.

“There is a warning here for the Liberal and Labor parties,” he said.

Mr Wilkie ruled out running candidates but said he was prepared to back those fighting pokies.

“I remain open to endorsing candidates,” he said.

“A number of people have approached me about standing at the state election.”

The Denison independent MHR has waded into the state election by launching a “Pokies are the problem” campaign.

The Hodgman Government has pledged to end the Federal Group’s monopoly on pokies and reduce the number of machines by 150 to 3530.

Labor continues to formulate its gambling policy as it considers a parliamentary inquiry’s findings and consults stakeholders.

But an anti-pokies campaign is building as the March election draws closer.

Mona founder David Walsh, who made his fortune from gambling, has thrown his financial muscle behind the Pokies Out Tasmania group as he seeks to build a high-rollers casino.

The Tasmanian Council of Social Service has begun erecting billboard advertisements asking: “Who wins?”, beginning with one at North Hobart.