Labor rolls dice on pokies

THE Tasmanian Labor party’s policy on pokies is expected to be released shortly — more than 10 weeks after the parliamentary inquiry released its report on the issue.

As activist group GetUp! signalled its intention to make the removal of poker machines from pubs and clubs a state election issue, sources have told the Mercury the public release of Labor’s policy could be as early as next week.

Labor has come under fire for not outlining its position on the divisive issue with leader Rebecca White repeatedly saying the party will not rush into developing policy.

The Mercury understands that Ms White met Kalis Hospitality chief executive Alexia Kalis and executive director Emmanuel Kalis yesterday.

Tasmanian Hospitality Association general manager Steve Old said his members wanted clarity.

“People just want to know how this may affect them,” he said of Labor’s policy.

The State Government has backed a 5 per cent reduction in machines in pubs and clubs to 3680 while the Greens have called for complete removal.

Yesterday, anti-pokies campaigners, along with the Greens, held a protest at Parliament House lawns — calling for poker machines to be taken out of pubs and clubs.

GetUp campaign director Emily Mulligan said there could be national implications from Tasmania’s debate and that was why the group was watching the issue closely.

The protest came a day after the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission released its final report after reviewing the Responsible Gambling Mandatory Code of Practice for Tasmania.

Federal Group executive general manager corporate affairs Daniel Hanna said the protest groups ignored that Tasmania’s gaming sector was governed by the strictest regulations in Australia.

“These groups also choose to ignore the very considerable contribution that local pubs and clubs make to the Tasmanian community, in terms of employment, hospitality services and also the millions of dollars in funding they provide for sports and recreation groups and gambling support services through the Community Support Levy,” he said.