NEW POKIES FIGHT BREWS

FEDERAL Group wants to retain its exclusive hold on the state’s poker machines until 2024 — a year longer than the Government is proposing.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein has told Federal the Government plans to break up Federal’s monopoly from July 2023.

But Federal now wants to discuss the “serious matter” with Mr Gutwein, claiming the 2003 deed says it should have five years’ notice of any change.

FEDERAL Group wants to retain its exclusive hold on the state’s poker machines until 2024 — a year longer than the Government is proposing.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein recently told Federal the Government planned to change gaming laws from July 2023.

The Liberals’ policy would break up Federal’s monopoly poker machine arrangement and allow pubs and clubs to purchase individual licences.

“The Government has recently written to Federal Group to advise them of our intention to end the current exclusivity arrangements through the legislation that will be tabled early next year to give effect to our policy and put in place a new framework from 30 June 2023,” Mr Gutwein said in a statement.

The statement also said by introducing the legislation the Government would no longer need to give Federal “notice” of the planned changes.

Federal yesterday wrote back to Mr Gutwein, asking for an opportunity to discuss the “serious matter”.

Company executive general manager Daniel Hanna said that although Federal supported the Liberals’ policy, it expected the Government to honour the terms of the 2003 deed.

This allowed for a five-year notice period for any proposed changes to take effect, meaning it should hold monopoly until July 2024, he said.

“The five-year notice period provides the certainty we, and our financiers, need for a stable and orderly exit from the agreement,” Mr Hanna said.

“It is a well-established principle that governments honour existing contracts between the Crown and companies and we expect that would also apply to this agreement.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor described the Liberals’ policy as “harmful”.

“The Liberals’ election policy — paid for by the pokies barons — to directly license poker machines venues and provide a beneficial tax deal to Federal Group is a catastrophic deal for Tasmania,” she said.

“There is no question it will entrench social harm in disadvantaged communities until 2043. It will cost lives.”

Ms O’Connor also questioned where Labor stood on the issue. The party went to last year’s state election vowing to quarantine pokies to casinos but backflipped this year.

Opposition leader Rebecca White said her party would instead focus on harm minimisation.