STOP GAMBLING WITH OUR WELLBEING:

It’s time to remove poker machines from pubs and clubs, says Rebecca White

THE future of poker machines in pubs and clubs has been an issue that has dominated public discussion in recent months.

The issue has stirred up a lot of emotion and debate because, for many of us, it is personal.

The harmful impacts of poker machine gambling are widespread. They affect an individual’s health, their family, relationships and work.

For every person harmed by their own gambling, seven other people are affected.

We have a once-in-ageneration opportunity to do something to change this and to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.

The Labor Party is prepared to take a stand and do what is, morally and economically, the responsible thing.

If I am fortunate enough to be elected premier in a majority Labor government in March, I will act immediately to remove the 2375 poker machines currently in 97 Tasmanian pubs and clubs over the next five years.

Our Labor government will give notice to Federal Hotels that its current deed allowing poker machines in venues other than casinos will not be extended beyond 2023.

That will confine them to casinos and give pubs and clubs five years to either voluntarily retire machines early or move to new business models. We will put up to $55 million on the table to help them transition — and to ensure jobs are safe. Timing is crucial. The gaming deed with Federal Hotels clearly states that the earliest date notice can be given to vary arrangements is July 2018, so this is our opportunity to act.

Since the Tasmanian Parliamentary Inquiry into Future Gaming Markets delivered its recommendations in September, Mr Hodgman and his Government have made no such commitment.

I have spent that time meeting with the owners and licensees of more than 70 pubs and clubs throughout Tasmania, as well as consulting with peak organisations and key groups, including the Tasmanian Hospitality Association and the RSL, TasCOSS, faith-based organisations and a broad cross-section of the Tasmanian community.

The Labor Party has taken the time to consult and to listen, and the harm associated with problem gambling — including suicide, mental illness, relationship breakdowns, lowered work productivity, job losses, bankruptcy and crime — cannot be ignored. It needs to be confronted head-on and genuinely addressed. What we know is clear. The Social and Economic Impact Study of Gaming In Tasmania (SEIS) identified that there are about 8000 Tasmanians considered to be problem and moderate-risk gamblers; that 6.5 per cent of problem gamblers had seriously considered suicide in the previous year; and that 1.5 per cent had attempted suicide.

While the Liquor and Gaming annual report said Tasmanians lost $110 million on poker machines in pubs and clubs in 2016-17, the SEIS report estimated the social costs of problem gambling at between $37 million and $184 million each year.

I find it absolutely terrifying that, according to the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission, it is possible to lose half of the average weekly wage in just one hour in front of a poker machine.

Labor will quarantine $5 million a year over five years in gaming revenue — about 0.08 per cent of the State Budget — to fund a grant package of $25 million to help venues and workers to phase out poker machines from our suburbs and towns.

Also, up to $25 million in loan funds will be made available through the existing Tasmania Development and Resources loan fund to help pubs and clubs transition.

Labor will also establish a Club Sustainability Fund of $5 million for clubs to access beyond 2023 to ensure important clubs, such as RSLs, can continue to provide services to their community.

We are not proposing to provide direct compensation to venues. Rather, we will provide transitional funding to achieve a change that will benefit the entire community.

Venues that want to transition away from poker machines prior to 2023 will be able to apply for funding provided through a mix of direct grants and low-interest loans to fund initiatives such as energy efficiency measures, renovations, accommodation upgrades, website development and marketing.

Workers will be offered intensive support for retraining and venues will be offered business development advice to transition to alternative business models.

Labor recognises the important role that hotels and clubs play in supporting sporting clubs and community

I find it absolutely terrifying that … it is possible to lose half of the average weekly wage in just one hour in front of a poker machine.

organisations. A portion of the transition fund will be used to ensure these groups can continue to thrive.

There is no intention to see suburban pubs or local RSLs close their doors. Rather, the genuine intention is to assist them to refocus their businesses and protect vulnerable people from the addition of poker machine gambling. I expect opponents will use scare tactics about what this policy will mean for these pubs and clubs because we have seen it before. They will claim jobs will be lost and venues will close, which is similar to unsubstantiated claims made before smoking bans came into place in 2006.

In reality, venues did not close and the sector has grown.

It is expected that removing poker machines from pubs and clubs will benefit the wider economy.

Economics professor John Mangan has reported that if just half of the $110 million lost to poker machines each year was diverted to the economy, we could create 180 jobs.

Importantly, health remains mine and Labor’s number one priority — with a strong focus on preventive health — and the removal of poker machines from pubs and clubs is an essential component of that health focus.

The truth is gambling addiction is a serious health issue.

And just as I am committed to addressing the crisis in Tasmania’s health and hospital system, I’m determined to address the destruction that has accompanied poker machine gambling and do something to ensure Tasmanians are given the opportunity to stay healthy and to improve the health of our economy and community.

Poker machines are an intense form of gambling and belong only in casinos. Research shows more than 80 per cent of Tasmanians understand that and want poker machines out of pubs and clubs.

I have listened. And I agree.