Sucked in by free spins
POKIES IN PUBS AND CLUBS
TO opponents of taking pokies out of pubs and clubs, just remember how quickly your money goes. You can lose $5 in less than three seconds, something other forms of gambling are nowhere near. Poker machines are giving fewer “free spins” and when these are achieved, mostly give little in return. Pokies that once gave 15 free spins are now reduced to 12 at most, often return nil on half these spins and are far less frequent. You can sit at a machine and put through $100 or more and get minimal (if any) return. We also see many jackpots freeze on a figure for several days before “going off”. Why don’t they continue to rise instead of sucking in players, thinking a jackpot is due, by the amount frozen? These parasite machines must leave pubs and clubs and be placed only in casinos, for those wishing to make the effort to go to play.
Investment
GREG Farrell’s claim that Federal Group would be decimated by Labor’s pokies policy and forced to review its presence in Tasmania is laughable. The threatened “end for large-scale projects” reveals Federal is dependent on gambling. Mr Farrell would rather have poker machines pay for his projects than put his hand in his own pocket. Federal’s last large-scale project was 1973, when the casino was opened. A management team that has six years to adjust, but resorts to empty threats to lay off 2100 workers, is not much of a team. With any number of Asian billionaires tripping over each other to build hotels in Hobart, Mr Farrell is going to take his bat and ball and go home? If Mr Farrell does decide to end Federal Group’s presence, a billionaire can transform the run-down Wrest Point into a five-star hotel worthy of our travel boom and capable of sustaining itself without poker machines.
What’s next to go?
I AM wondering what’s next for Rebecca White and the Greens. Will horse racing or TASkeno no longer be allowed in pubs and clubs? If Labor is so concerned about gambling on poker machines, why have they not chosen to ban it completely, or is that what’s next? The Labor Party certainly isn’t concerned with what’s next for the people they are about to put out of work. I wonder how many families that will destroy?
A Labor and Green minority government would be incredibly bad for Tasmanians and their jobs. You don’t have to think back too far to remember what it was like. The only way to stop a LaborGreen nanny state is to vote Liberal.
Jumping at shadows
A READER worries that pokies reform puts her job at the Henry Jones Art Hotel at risk (Letters, December 22). The Henry Jones, MacQ 01, Saffire, 9/11 and Cope Transport are stand-alone arms of the Federal Group. It’s impossible to see how changes could affect these as only Network Gaming, Vantage Group and casinos are involved in pokies. If Federal surrendered its leases on the waterfront hotels and sold Saffire, 7/11 and Cope, it’s unlikely the new owners would employ fewer staff. themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. The casinos would not suffer as they will experience an increase in pokies turnover. While the Liberals and vested interests flag massive job losses, only 1.5 full-time equivalent will be lost per venue.
As we see fit
I NOTED parliamentary secretary Sarah Courtney’s comments on Labor’s poker machine policy. In true libertarian fashion, she reiterated that as a Government they support the right of Tasmanians to spend their money as they see fit. Will the Liberal Party be taking this approach to firearms owners and defend our right to purchase any class of firearms as we see fit?
Adapt to changing times
REBECCA White and the Labor Party are to be congratulated for acknowledging community concerns, and following the lead of the Greens. All businesses need to adapt to changing times and attitudes, and polls strongly suggest the majority of Tasmanians no longer support pokies in pubs and clubs. To those who argue jobs will be lost, perhaps it’s time to review an outdated business model that too often results in addiction and financial and social harm. There are alternatives that would not only reinvigorate their businesses, but might attract a broader clientele. Themed food evenings, games nights and live music could encourage more people to enjoy a night out at their local and meet with friends and neighbours. A win-win.
Invest in safety
MALCOLM Turnbull keeps telling us that he wants to “keep Australia safe”. He should address the source by more funding for mental health and the disadvantaged.
Cheque hopes
MY faith in Santa Claus has been restored. Down through the ages, he has never failed to bring joy to the hearts of children. This Christmas, I have lost faith in a fledgling Energy Minister who announced with great fanfare pensioners would receive a cheque for $125 to alleviate power costs before Christmas. The hope was nice while it lasted. Could it be that he forgot to explain which Christmas?
Capital in Bible
TRUMP obviously believes what the Bible says, that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
History questions
THE recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of (Israel) occupied Palestine because of a historic precedent that happened more than 2000 years ago means support for handing this country back to the Aboriginal people who, until as recently as 200 years ago, were the sole owners/ occupiers of this girt by sea place.