Frecklington: I would halt pokies going up

OPPOSITION leader Deb Frecklington is sticking to her promise to halt increases in the number of pokies on the Gold Coast, which keeps climbing under the State government.

In response to the Bulletin asking Tourism Minister Kate Jones and Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath if they would halt rising Gold Coast pokie numbers, a joint statement said a state gaming cap had existed since 2001.

The response attacked the LNP and Ms Frecklington for being part of a previous Newman government which allowed pokie allocations per venue to rise.

“It is hoped the LNP will consult with local clubs before suggesting a cap on the Gold Coast,” the statement said, adding: “If the LNP was in power, we’d have a brand new casino with 1500 pokie machines on the Spit.

“When it comes to pokie machines, the LNP can’t be trusted. They say one thing when in government and the opposite when in Opposition.”

Ms Frecklington replied: “I’ve never seen such revisionist rubbish in my life ... it is simply embarrassing.

“Every time this dysfunctional and incompetent government gets caught out they bring up the former Premier.

“I lead a new LNP team, with new ideas and a new vision for the state.

“No more pokies on the Gold Coast is my policy. I am not interested in what other leaders may have done.”

Approved electronic gaming machines (EGM) have climbed since August when Ms Jones promised no increases for a Global Tourism Hub (GTH) resort.

Pokies in city pubs and clubs jumped to 90 by January, passing 6000 for the first time to 6061.

This week the Bulletin revealed nine more approvals had brought the total to 6070, prompting Opposition MP David Crisafulli to call Ms Jones’ promise “pokie hokey”.

Ms Jones is standing by her promise, saying it related to a GTH only, while Ms D’Ath says pokie applications were assessed within the caps.

Mr Crisafulli said officials administered government policy settings: “The Premier could stop increasing pokies tomorrow if she just issued a direction.”