RSL action gets Anzac pokies ad pulled
A ADVERTISEMENT linking poker machines with Anzac Day has been withdrawn after intervention from the RSL state president.
The Glenorchy RSL had been accused of politicising Anzac Day after it participated in an online ad suggesting commemorations could be affected by Labor’s proposed pokies ban.
RSL state president Terry Roe subsequently wrote to all sub-branches reminding them the RSL should remain apolitical during the election campaign.
“Clearly, unfortunately, Glenorchy have breached that line,” he said.
Glenorchy president John Chivers appeared in the ad and said this week Anzac Day services would not take place in the suburb if poker machines were removed from his club.
Mr Roe said he understood Mr Chivers was trying to look after his members and club.
“But to link the poker machine political debate with Anzac Day, in hindsight he would agree he’s used the wrong words.
“It’s not appropriate and certainly it’s not a view shared by the wider membership of the RSL. I’m just wondering what message it sends to our school students, who look forward to participating and supporting Anzac Day, and the wider community as well.”
Last night a message on social media attributed to Mr Chivers indicated the post had been removed “out of respect of those who have served”.
“We stand by our comments that should we lose gaming machines our club will close and no longer be a gathering place for Anzac Day celebrations in Glenorchy,” he wrote.
The comments caused a storm of criticism from antipokies campaigners, independent MP Andrew Wilkie and the Jacqui Lambie Network.
Opposition Leader Rebecca White described the comments as offensive. “We always suspected that the gambling industry and the pro-pokies lobby would stoop to any level to get their message out and to campaign against the Labor Party,” Ms White said.
She said the assertion Anzac Day wouldn’t be commemorated if poker machines weren’t allowed in RSL clubs went too far. Labor proposes to remove poker machines from pubs and clubs by 2023 with a $55 million transition package.