Category Archives: Member Statements
The twisted logic of pokie reform
Charles Livingstone, The Drum, ABC It’s been a few weeks since the Gillard Government backflipped on its agreement with Andrew Wilkie to introduce pokie reform. In retrospect, and with the benefit of hindsight, it seems that the main lesson to … Continue reading
Wilkie resists poker machine trial: Tim Costello
ABC Radio National: Breakfast ACGT Chair Tim Costello talks to Fran Kelly on Radio National Breakfast about the current poker machine reform situation Independent MP Andrew Wilkie says that he may oppose legislation enabling a trial of mandatory pre-commitment technology … Continue reading
ABC – The World Today: Town divided over proposed new pokie venue
The ABC, The World Today TANYA NOLAN: Residents of the historic hamlet of Castlemaine north west of Melbourne, are fighting plans to triple the number of poker machines in their town. Victoria’s gambling regulator has received close to 600 objections … Continue reading
Pokie reform will help people know when to fold ‘em
Harry Herbert, The Punch In the race for headlines and hysteria, the poker machine reform debate has fallen through the cracks of serious social progress. In their eagerness to beat back the Government’s agenda on poker machines, pushing their polished … Continue reading
ABC The Drum – Costello troubled by priest’s pokies stance
Wilkie confident poker machine laws will go ahead
Mark Colvin, PM, the ABC EMILY BOURKE: The election of a new speaker throws up big questions about a policy problem currently preoccupying the Government – that of poker machine reform. It’s been the passion of Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie … Continue reading
Heroin addiction drug proposed for problem gamblers
Tony Eastley, AM TONY EASTLEY: New research says there are promising signs that problem gamblers could be helped by the drug Naltrexone which is used to treat heroin addicts overseas. Guidelines produced by Monash University say gambling addiction should be … Continue reading
Pokies prime users to become addicts
Jennifer Borrell, Coburg SURPRISE, surprise. The gaming industry opposes measures to make poker machines safer by limiting bets (made every few seconds) to $1, even though industry research shows this measure would minimise harm (”Pokies $1 limit ‘favoured’ ”, The … Continue reading
Primary school pupils absorbing gambling culture, Synod warned
Mark Brolly, Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. Primary school pupils were absorbing a “betting odds culture” from big screens at major sporting venues such as the MCG and promotions by sporting identities, Synod was told. Bishop Philip Huggins, Chair of the … Continue reading
Archbishop backs ‘moral’ changes to pokie laws
Leesha McKenny, Phillip Coorey, Sydney Morning Herald The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney has come out in strong support of the proposed poker machine reforms, warning that the penetration of gambling culture into sport and media ”bodes ill for the future … Continue reading
