NSW Churches Target Windsor Over Pokie Reform
8 March 2012 at 9:12 am
Local Churches in the Federal electorate of New England in New South Wales have delivered 1000 signed postcards to local Federal member, independent Tony Windsor, in what they describe as “a show of solidarity for poker machine reform.”
New South Wales Churches Gambling Taskforce representative, Rev Rod Benson, said the Andrew Wilkie/ Julia Gillard agreement might have fallen by the way, but the appetite for reform is still strong, especially in areas hard hit by the aggressive, misleading industry campaign.
The postcards, presented in Tamworth, call on Windsor to strongly consider support for $1 maximum bets, enforceable self-set gambling limits, limited opening hours in gaming areas and strengthening measures to rein in online gambling.
Fifteen churches participated in the campaign from local parishes in Gunnedah, Tamworth, Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Ashford, Bundarra, Cockburn Valley, Emmaville and Deepwater, and Nundle.
Tasmanian independent MP and anti poker machine campaiger, Andrew Wilkie, tore up his agreement to support the Gillard minority government earlier this year claiming the Prime Minister had broken her promise on gambling reforms.
Prime Minister Gillard had announced a watered down plan to tackle problem gambling, which would include a trial in the ACT of mandatory pre-commitment technology.
This backs away from a deal struck with Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie to legislate the reforms by May and roll out the technology by 2014.
“There is clearly an appetite for reform,” Rev Benson said.
“The voices of local communities are a powerful incentive for local members to take action.
“Poker machines present a huge risk to around a third of regular players in Australia, with addicted players spending on average up to $21,000 a year on machines.
“Australia’s $12 billion poker machine industry survives largely on the back of vulnerable Australians in the grip of addiction. In fact, around 40 per cent of total poker machine spending comes from people addicted to pokies.
“This is an unsustainable model on business and ethical grounds,” Rev Benson said.
“This Government, with the support of the cross benchers including Mr Windsor, can still deliver solid public policy that will modify the machines, and limit the harm caused by poker machine gambling.
“The New South Wales Churches Gambling Taskforce, in line with the Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce, supports both mandatory pre commitment measures and $1 maximum bets as part of a suite of necessary reform measures. We will continue to work with all politicians of goodwill to ensure reform continues,” Rev Benson said.
Members of the Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce include the heads of Christian churches in Australia and the heads of their social services agencies nationally and state-based church taskforces in NSW, Vic, Tas and SA. Established last year the Taskforce is united by a commitment to reduce the harms caused by poker machine gambling.
