Welfare groups call on Libs to match it

WELFARE groups and antipokies campaigners have challenged the Liberal Party to match Labor’s pledge to rid pubs and clubs of the machines.

The ALP’s announcement was hailed by community groups that have long fought for gaming machines to be confined to Federal Group’s two casinos.

Opponents point to research showing pokies come at a social cost of up to $180 million each year, contributing to economic hardship, family breakdown and suicide.

Tasmanian Council of So- cial Service chief Kym Goodes described Labor’s move as “brave and bold leadership”.

“This is one of those moments — much like the announcement of how Tasmanians voted on marriage equality — when we can feel meaningful change in the air,” Ms Goodes said. “The overwhelming majority of Tasmanians will feel represented by this policy announcement.”

Anti-pokies leader Anglica- re joined others in calling on the Liberals to follow suit and extend their current policy of reducing the cap on machines statewide by 150.

“In the lead-up to a state election, all candidates will keep hearing from Tasmanians unhappy about the prevalence of poker machines,” Anglicare Social Action and Research Centre’s Meg Webb said.

“People are uncomfortable with the fact that poker machines take millions of dollars from people with an addiction.”

Long-time anti-gambling machine MP Andrew Wilkie, who recently launched a “Pokies are the Problem” campaign, also called on a change of tack from Will Hodgman’s Liberals.

“This is what the community has overwhelmingly been saying they want and any party who doesn’t listen will be punished by the voters in March,” Mr Wilkie said.

Tasmanian business questioned the policy, saying most pokies players used the machines responsibly, and problem gamblers would be forced online. “What makes people in Glenorchy less capable of managing their gaming than people in Sandy Bay?” Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Michael Bailey said.

The union representing hotel workers reacted cautiously to the policy.

Hospitality union United Voice said the ALP’s $55 million transition package would need to protect jobs.

“We look forward to reviewing the details of the transition package and consulting further with stakeholders to ensure that any hospitality workers affected by this policy would be adequately supported,” state secretary Jannette Armstrong said. Readers seeking support: Lifeline on 131 114; Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or beyondblue 1300 22 4636.