Leaked revelations, now confirmed, that Tasmania’s mandatory precommitment card system for poker machines is still at least 18 months away is terrible news and must be met with an urgent harm reduction response from the Rockliff government.
The evidence of the devastating effects of poker machines has been well-documented. That’s why the government announcement of a nation-leading model of mandatory card-based precommitment was so widely welcomed – and why news of a delay to these measures is so concerning.
There is no doubt that poker machines operating unchecked for another 18 months will result in deep and serious harm to Tasmanians and the community. The least the government could do is to step in with urgent interim measures to limit harm until the new card system is in place.
As well as moving to introduce urgent interim harm reduction measures, we also call on the Minister for Finance to provide a full and detailed account of exactly what ‘challenges’ have been encountered by the successful tenderer for the service and why the delay wasn’t transparently announced by government as soon as it was advised.
Following the 2018 election and the subsequent reversal of the Labor party’s strong policy on pokies, many Tasmanians are justifiably cynical poker machine management in this state and the power of poker machine owners and their lobbyists.
Full transparency is needed to address the community’s suspicions about all things pokies and this delay is no exception. Exactly why is there a delay and what guarantees are there that the new deadline will be met.
This delay will prolong suffering and increase pressure on Tasmanian families and others connected to those struggling with gambling addiction during a cost-of-living crisis. It needs to be met with clarity and commitment by the Rockliff government.
