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Labor And Nationals Reject Poker Machine Reduction

The Liberal Party is the only political party in the Parliament committed to reducing the number of poker machines in Victoria, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Philip Davis said today.

By Phillip Davis - 9th October 2006 - Back to News

The Liberal Party’s Private Member’s Bill Gambling Regulation (Limitation of Number of Gaming Machines) Bill 2006 was debated in Parliament today, and was defeated by the Bracks Labor Government and the Victorian Nationals voting together.

"It is clear from the outcome of today’s debate that the Bracks Labor Government and the Nationals do not understand the extent of the damage poker machine addiction is causing in Victorian families," Mr Davis said.

"This Private Member’s Bill is a clear and direct way of addressing the scourge of gambling addiction, yet the Labor Party and Nationals turned their backs on victims and chose to do nothing."

The cap set under Ministerial direction is currently 27,500 outside the Casino and the Private Member’s Bill proposed to reduce that cap to 22,000 and to require Parliamentary assent to any future change to the legislated cap.

"Problem gambling has a wide-reaching effect on our local communities," Mr Davis said.

"The hidden victims of gambling addiction are often children, because gambling problems often result in a higher incidence of family violence, abuse, financial hardship, drug and alcohol addiction and broken homes.

"It is impossible to accurately measure the impact these associated issues have on Victoria’s welfare and community services.

"The Liberal Party is extremely disappointed that the Bracks Labor Government and the Nationals did not acknowledge the social harm that makes doing nothing about poker machine numbers unacceptable."

Mr Davis said the Bracks Government missed the opportunity to change the poker machine cap which will be in place for another 20 years after the licences renewal in 2012.

"The Liberal Party is appalled that the Bracks Labor Government and the Nationals did not seize this opportunity to assist problem gamblers and their families," he said.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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