Gambling reform
Ellen SANDELL (Melbourne) (14:22): My question is to the Premier. Over two years ago former Premier Daniel Andrews stood next to a grandmother who had lost just about everything because of poker machines and announced landmark reforms to reduce harm from gambling. Yet this week it was revealed that Labor is walking back these reforms by not including mandatory precommitment limits in their carded play trial, and the trial also keeps getting delayed. Tim Costello said Labor’s current approach ‘simply reflects a strategy that panders to the gambling industry and is all designed to delay, delay, delay’. Premier, we all know poker machines ruin lives. Why is the Labor government walking away from these commitments to gambling reform?
Michaela Settle interjected.
The SPEAKER: The member for Eureka can leave the chamber for half an hour.
Member for Eureka withdrew from chamber.
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:23): In acknowledging the member for Melbourne’s question, I will have to reject the conclusion that she made at the end of that question, because our government does remain committed to strengthening the regime around gaming machines in this state. We have already demonstrated significant reform, recognising that problem gambling for some is a significant addiction. It causes significant harm and does need to be addressed. I do want to acknowledge the work of the minister for roads. During her time as the minister with that portfolio responsibility, significant reforms were implemented – reforms that now see gaming venues required to close between 4 am and 10 am every single day. There has been a slowing of the spin rates of machines. There has also been a reduction in the amount of cash that can be withdrawn from ATMs in venues. And also, if I recall correctly, we have stopped the use of cheques being cashed at venues.
This demonstrates significant reform to date, but we do acknowledge that there is more to do, which is why – and we have been very clear on this – we are working with industry to deploy the latest technology to continue to ensure that we are dealing with the issues that problem gamblers face but also ensure that when we can bring about changes they will work and they will address the harm that is caused by problem gambling. I say all of that in the context of what I think the member was referring to of course, which is legislation that is primarily focused around implementing reforms at Crown. We will continue to work with that venue in terms of addressing problem gambling, as we are doing at venues right across the state.
Ellen SANDELL (Melbourne) (14:25): Premier, last year Victorians lost a record $3.14 billion on the pokies. That is a new record, so whatever reforms have been introduced cannot be working too well if Victorians are losing more on the pokies than ever before. I have to say it is hard to believe that Labor is serious about pokies reform when we have had a carded play trial that is significantly delayed. Now setting loss limits before someone plays the pokies will not be mandatory, making the scheme less effective, and there is still no plan to make that scheme statewide, and Crown are getting an extra two-year extension before they have to meet the rules. So shouldn’t Victorians just conclude that Labor continues to allow the gambling industry to water down pokies reform so they can keep up their record profits?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:26): I must say I am more than a little disappointed in the member for Melbourne’s representation on this matter, because it is not just incorrect, it is creating an ongoing level of misinformation that gets circulated in the community that does even further harm. It does not matter who it is in this place, we come with the responsibility to provide accurate information. We remain committed to dealing with those challenges that problem gamblers face every day. As I said in my previous answer to the substantive question, closing venues for that period of time – for that 6 hours from 4 am to 10 am every single day – has had a significant impact in breaking that cycle of problem gambling. We remain committed to reforms, and I hope that the Greens political party can find it within their capacity to join with us in an accurate way on driving this change.