Thursday, 9 March 2023

Poker machines

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (19:17): (98) My adjournment is directed to the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, and I urgently seek that the minister allow the forfeiture of 10 poker machine entitlements from the Glenroy RSL and allow those entitlements to be forgiven. I note that last month the Premier, I think quite rightly, gave an indication of gambling reform, describing gambling addiction as a real problem and a wicked problem. But how are we meant to take the Premier’s comments as anything but hollow when the Andrews government itself is addicted to pokies revenue?

In 2015 the Glenroy RSL in my electorate decided to obtain 10 additional poker machine entitlements on top of the 40 they already have, still under the average. This received approval from the gaming commission. However, Moreland City Council took the RSL to VCAT. The RSL won at VCAT. It was then appealed by the council in the Supreme Court and was sent back to VCAT, where the permit for the 10 additional entitlements was rejected. The RSL is now in a position where the department and the minister’s office have advised the RSL must pay $470,000, almost half a million dollars, for 10 poker machine entitlements they cannot even use through no fault of their own. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission even wrote to the RSL in an aggressive letter advising them to use it or lose it.

The Glenroy RSL plays an important role in supporting defence veterans and their families. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a massive hit to this community-minded RSL. The Glenroy RSL employs over 40 staff, has over 2000 members and supports a multitude of community groups in the north, such as Rotary, Probus, Lions Club, Glenroy Specialist School, Penola Saints Netball Club and Pascoe Vale Girls College, amongst many others. Altona, Darebin, Glenroy and Pascoe Vale are all in similar situations to the Glenroy RSL. This is a sorry saga. Perhaps the minister sees some sense – I hope. Perhaps those higher up are preventing her from making the right decision. The action I seek from the minister is to have a heart and reverse this stubborn decision. I call on the minister to make a decision to allow these entitlements to be surrendered without payment to allow them to further support veterans and their dependants, along with the local communities where they reside.