In Senate Estimates hearings today, the Government's reasons for rejecting $1 bet limits on poker machines were exposed as a lie. Under questioning from Greens Senator, Richard Di Natale, the Department (FAHCSIA) admitted that their $1.5 billion price tag was not based on the Productivity Commission's recommended policy.
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 15:25
The Greens said today that the Baillieu Government is using hollow excuses for inaction on pokies and if they are serious about pokies reform they would embrace the Greens' $1 bets proposal.
“The Baillieu government's broken promise takes the cake in a long line of broken election commitments - it is just a hollow excuse for inaction on pokies reform,” said Colleen Hartland, Victorian Greens spokesperson for Gambling.
Posted on Monday, February 6, 2012 - 11:54
Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that Labor and the Coalition are reaping the benefits from problem gamblers.
“Clubs have made a lot of money from problem gamblers and now we know that the Opposition and Government have too,” said Senator Di Natale.
“Clubs and hotels donated $1.85 million last year to the Coalition and Labor parties, while simultaneously campaigning against pokies reform.
Posted on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - 13:49
Richard appeared on the ABC's The Drum program, discussing the Greens' $1 bets proposal as the most practical, cheap and simple option for pokies reform.
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2012 - 20:00
Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that the Government must release their advice about the cost of the Greens’ $1 bet option.
“The PM’s primary justification for not supporting the Greens’ $1 bet proposal is the cost, which she claims comes in at $1.5 billion.
“The $1.5 billion price tag is completely at odds with the analysis conducted by independent authorities such as The Australia Institute and Monash University academics, who cost the proposal at less than $350 million.
Posted on Monday, January 23, 2012 - 13:20
Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that the Greens would introduce $1 bet legislation when Parliament resumes.
“The Government has made it clear that it doesn't have the courage to implement meaningful poker machine reforms. If they won't help problem gamblers, the Greens will,” said Senator Di Natale.
Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2012 - 09:18
Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that a trial of mandatory pre-commitment was a gutless substitute for real action.
“The Government seems to be using a trial as a gutless substitute for real action on pokies in this term," said Senator Di Natale.
“If they are genuinely serious about getting real reform through the parliament then they need to explain why the Greens’ $1 bets proposal is off the table.
Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2012 - 10:28
Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that the proposal of $1 bet limits has become a test of the Prime Minister’s leadership.
Previously the Government has indicated that cost of implementation was a reason not to introduce $1 bet limits but a new report from the Australia Institute has exposed Clubs Australia figures as baseless.
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2012 - 10:33
Richard held a press conference on Friday 20 January to discuss the need to act now on pokies reform
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 23:00
Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said that there was still a long way to go in the fight for meaningful pokies reform.
“The Government’s credibility is on the line if it dodges this important opportunity for reform,” said Senator Di Natale.
“It should get behind the Greens’ $1 bets proposal because it’s the cheapest, simplest and most effective reform with the best chance of passing the parliament.
Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - 10:28
