Marisa Paterson, MLA, decided not to put forward amendments that would have reduced the number of pokies in Canberra to 1,000. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
ACT Labor withdrew its own amendments to gradually reduce poker machine numbers in Canberra by 500 every four years for the next 20 years in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday (5 September).
While the party supported a bill to reduce machine numbers to 3500 by July 2025, Dr Marisa Paterson MLA backed away from further reforms she had drafted that would have reduced the number to 1000 by 2045.
“I went into the chamber on Wednesday morning, and the Greens amendments were ruled out of order,” Dr Paterson told Region.
“Within half an hour, I got an email from [Greens Gaming] Minister Rattenbury saying he would support [my amendments], but it was too late. We had already decided not to move them. There was a risk of them failing and you cannot move the same amendments within 12 months if they’re not supported. The decision was made to take our plan to the election.”
Mr Rattenbury disputes the assertion he didn’t give Labor enough time.
“I actually spoke to the Chief Minister on Wednesday, 24 hours before the debate came on, to confirm that the Greens would support the amendment,” he said.
“I then sent them a direct email at 10:45 am [on Thursday] confirming in writing we would support the amendments. The debate wasn’t until 12 pm, but they still thought I hadn’t given them enough notice. I don’t know how much notice they need. I would think 24 hours is enough.”
Greens and Labor are once again at odds over poker machines. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Region has seen the email Mr Rattenbury sent to the Chief Minister and Dr Paterson on Thursday morning, which stated: “As discussed with each of you over the last day, I confirm that if it is moved, the Greens will support Marisa’s amendment to reduce [pokie] numbers to 1000”.
Mr Rattenbury also wanted to introduce a new law that would allow for the creation of a central monitoring system (CMS). This tool links all ACT poker machines with the intention of collecting data and limiting gambling losses.
“I’m arguing for an account-based system where you determine before you go into a club how much you are prepared to spend. When you reach that limit, your account stops you gambling anymore … that’s the best practice harm minimisation,” he said.
“The CSM links all the machines … if you go down to the Tradies and spend to your limit, you can’t then go down the road to another place and start again.”
ACT Labor does not support this reform.
“The revelation this week that the cost of a Central Monitoring System (CMS) is around $180 million confirms our concerns that a CMS is a significant investment in poker machines, which would lock in 3500 machines in the ACT for the next 10-20 years,” Dr Paterson said.
“A CMS is not viable without that number of machines [because the CMS is funded through poker machine revenue].”
Mr Rattenbury also disputes this, saying a CMS could be implemented over a shorter timeframe and allow for a gradual reduction of machines.
Dr Paterson said a re-elected ACT Labor Government will introduce mandatory account-based cashless gaming as well as her reforms to gradually reduce the number of poker machines to 1000.
Loading ...
