Tas pokie inquiry opens way to reform
Media Release
17 March 2016
The Australian Christian Lobby welcomes the announcement today that a joint select parliamentary committee will be formed to consider the future of Tasmania’s gaming industry.
ACL Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said he was pleased with Treasurer Peter Gutwein’s statement today that he wanted a transparent public consultation process, with a report to be ready by the end of the year.
The announcement follows a special screening of the documentary Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation that was hosted Wednesday night by the ACL in the Tasmanian Parliament House.
“At the screening politicians were reminded again of the bad effects gambling has on our community, so it is good to see the Government respond today so positively,” Mr Brown said.
“The Australian Christian Lobby believes any review should consider ways to reduce the addictive nature of gaming machines as well as reduce the number of machines.
“Approximately 27,000 Tasmanians are directly or indirectly affected by pokie addiction, including an estimated 2,000 children.”
Mr Brown made the comments following last night’s special ACL screening of the documentary Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation at Parliament House in Hobart, which was attended by a range of politicians.
“Deliberately inducing addictive behaviour with the aim of extracting large amounts of money from vulnerable people is morally abhorrent,” Mr Brown said.
“Every Tasmanian, and especially every politician needs to see this film’s powerful message.”
Leading gambling expert Dr Charles Livingstone from Monash University, who appeared in the documentary and spoke at the screening, said pokies were highly addictive.
“Pokies are a dangerous and addictive product, and need to be regulated as such,” Dr Livingstone said.
“Tasmanians support major reform of pokie regulation and the Government needs to stand up to the pokie monopoly and listen to the community.
“Pokies are a box of tricks, intended to addict, and pokie profits are fuelled by addiction.
“it was great to see Tasmanian politicians engaged at the screening in discussion about pokie harm - now they need to act.”
ENDS
View the Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation trailer
17 March 2016
The Australian Christian Lobby welcomes the announcement today that a joint select parliamentary committee will be formed to consider the future of Tasmania’s gaming industry.
ACL Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said he was pleased with Treasurer Peter Gutwein’s statement today that he wanted a transparent public consultation process, with a report to be ready by the end of the year.
The announcement follows a special screening of the documentary Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation that was hosted Wednesday night by the ACL in the Tasmanian Parliament House.
“At the screening politicians were reminded again of the bad effects gambling has on our community, so it is good to see the Government respond today so positively,” Mr Brown said.
“The Australian Christian Lobby believes any review should consider ways to reduce the addictive nature of gaming machines as well as reduce the number of machines.
“Approximately 27,000 Tasmanians are directly or indirectly affected by pokie addiction, including an estimated 2,000 children.”
Mr Brown made the comments following last night’s special ACL screening of the documentary Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation at Parliament House in Hobart, which was attended by a range of politicians.
“Deliberately inducing addictive behaviour with the aim of extracting large amounts of money from vulnerable people is morally abhorrent,” Mr Brown said.
“Every Tasmanian, and especially every politician needs to see this film’s powerful message.”
Leading gambling expert Dr Charles Livingstone from Monash University, who appeared in the documentary and spoke at the screening, said pokies were highly addictive.
“Pokies are a dangerous and addictive product, and need to be regulated as such,” Dr Livingstone said.
“Tasmanians support major reform of pokie regulation and the Government needs to stand up to the pokie monopoly and listen to the community.
“Pokies are a box of tricks, intended to addict, and pokie profits are fuelled by addiction.
“it was great to see Tasmanian politicians engaged at the screening in discussion about pokie harm - now they need to act.”
ENDS
View the Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation trailer
Tassie has rare chance to lead nation in busting pokies habit
DEAR Mr Gutwein [Tasmanian Treasurer],
I applaud your intention to have an “open and transparent” discussion about poker machine licencing in Tasmania. I was especially glad to see you have included the important topic of harm minimisation as a key focus.
I am buoyed because I believe you have an unprecedented opportunity to effect real lasting change in the lives of thousands of Tasmanians.
With a GST windfall meaning that state debt can be paid off earlier than previously anticipated, a low Australian dollar helping exporters and a more robust economy, the state is positioned to once and for all wean itself off pokie tax revenue.
With the Liberals likely to win another term in power you can, free from political cycle pressures, prepare for such a reform right up to the 2023 relicensing date. This could usher in a new era in government attitudes to gambling, where protection of vulnerable Tasmanians is put ahead of profits and the bottom line.
This opportunity may not come again. I encourage you to reflect on the many lives that could be impacted for good and to seize the day.
Pokies continue to wreak havoc in Tasmania’s neediest communities. I am sure you find it abhorrent as
I do that poker machines are deliberately concentrated in our poorest regions.
They suck up to $2 million a month from our most disadvantaged suburbs — money that should have been spent on clothing, groceries and birthday presents.
Pokies cause the highest losses of all forms of gambling and nearly half of their takings come from problem or moderate risk gamblers.
The machines are programmed to ensure that the gambler loses and to deliberately entice gamblers to continue playing.
Australian pokies are the most voracious in the world with respect to the rate at which they strip money from gamblers.
The recent ABC documentary Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation uncovered the methods pokie designers use. Alluring graphics, sounds, lights and music are engineered to exploit how the brain works by triggering chemicals (like dopamine) at similar levels to those exhibited in the brains of those with severe drug addiction.
No wonder they have been called the electronic morphine and crack cocaine of gambling.
You may be aware that gambling disorder is found alongside cocaine and heroin in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
In conjunction with the makers of the documentary, I am planning a special public screening of Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation in parliament this month. We will have an expert panel to answer questions afterwards. I hope you are able to be involved.
One only needs to look at the wreckage meted out to families of pokie addicts and the community-at-large to agree that the comparison with hard drugs is not far off the mark. These include broken families, deprived children and, in extreme cases, suicide. And the community (usually via the government) must pick up the costs of providing for the victims as well as costs due to lost productivity, bankruptcy, fraud and the prosecution and incarceration of offenders.
Studies show that for every person with a gambling problem, another five to 10 people are affected, meaning about 27,000 Tasmanians are bearing the brunt. This number includes an estimated 2000 children.
Something has to be done. I hope that you can rise to champion their cause.
Pokie harms could be significantly averted with a few simple policy changes.
People have been talking for years about mandatory $1 bet limits and the huge difference they would make for problem gamblers.
New community alliances, national and local, are pushing for these kinds of reforms. Why can’t Tassie lead the way? Of course, there will be the expected opposition, but surely we have a moral obligation to help the most vulnerable.
The experience from Victoria in 2008 can offer us hope. The Victorian government of the day dropped bet limits significantly in a very short period and with minimal contention.
Mr Gutwein, I pray that you will have the courage and wisdom necessary to see the opportunity before you.
I ask that you seize the day and ensure a brighter future for the many desperate Tasmanians affected by pokie addiction.
By ACL Tasmanian Director Mark Brown. Published in the Tasmanian Mercury 7 March 2016.
I applaud your intention to have an “open and transparent” discussion about poker machine licencing in Tasmania. I was especially glad to see you have included the important topic of harm minimisation as a key focus.
I am buoyed because I believe you have an unprecedented opportunity to effect real lasting change in the lives of thousands of Tasmanians.
With a GST windfall meaning that state debt can be paid off earlier than previously anticipated, a low Australian dollar helping exporters and a more robust economy, the state is positioned to once and for all wean itself off pokie tax revenue.
With the Liberals likely to win another term in power you can, free from political cycle pressures, prepare for such a reform right up to the 2023 relicensing date. This could usher in a new era in government attitudes to gambling, where protection of vulnerable Tasmanians is put ahead of profits and the bottom line.
This opportunity may not come again. I encourage you to reflect on the many lives that could be impacted for good and to seize the day.
Pokies continue to wreak havoc in Tasmania’s neediest communities. I am sure you find it abhorrent as
I do that poker machines are deliberately concentrated in our poorest regions.
They suck up to $2 million a month from our most disadvantaged suburbs — money that should have been spent on clothing, groceries and birthday presents.
Pokies cause the highest losses of all forms of gambling and nearly half of their takings come from problem or moderate risk gamblers.
The machines are programmed to ensure that the gambler loses and to deliberately entice gamblers to continue playing.
Australian pokies are the most voracious in the world with respect to the rate at which they strip money from gamblers.
The recent ABC documentary Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation uncovered the methods pokie designers use. Alluring graphics, sounds, lights and music are engineered to exploit how the brain works by triggering chemicals (like dopamine) at similar levels to those exhibited in the brains of those with severe drug addiction.
No wonder they have been called the electronic morphine and crack cocaine of gambling.
You may be aware that gambling disorder is found alongside cocaine and heroin in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
In conjunction with the makers of the documentary, I am planning a special public screening of Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation in parliament this month. We will have an expert panel to answer questions afterwards. I hope you are able to be involved.
One only needs to look at the wreckage meted out to families of pokie addicts and the community-at-large to agree that the comparison with hard drugs is not far off the mark. These include broken families, deprived children and, in extreme cases, suicide. And the community (usually via the government) must pick up the costs of providing for the victims as well as costs due to lost productivity, bankruptcy, fraud and the prosecution and incarceration of offenders.
Studies show that for every person with a gambling problem, another five to 10 people are affected, meaning about 27,000 Tasmanians are bearing the brunt. This number includes an estimated 2000 children.
Something has to be done. I hope that you can rise to champion their cause.
Pokie harms could be significantly averted with a few simple policy changes.
People have been talking for years about mandatory $1 bet limits and the huge difference they would make for problem gamblers.
New community alliances, national and local, are pushing for these kinds of reforms. Why can’t Tassie lead the way? Of course, there will be the expected opposition, but surely we have a moral obligation to help the most vulnerable.
The experience from Victoria in 2008 can offer us hope. The Victorian government of the day dropped bet limits significantly in a very short period and with minimal contention.
Mr Gutwein, I pray that you will have the courage and wisdom necessary to see the opportunity before you.
I ask that you seize the day and ensure a brighter future for the many desperate Tasmanians affected by pokie addiction.
By ACL Tasmanian Director Mark Brown. Published in the Tasmanian Mercury 7 March 2016.
3% drop in abortion support - poll
A recent Galaxy Poll has shown support for abortion dropped 3% in Tasmania in the last 15 months.
The decline in support has been attributed to a sustained television, print and radio and online advertising campaign funded by the group Emily’s Voice.
Emily’s Voice CEO Paul O’Rourke said the survey “showed that just 47% of women said they supported legislation passed last year allowing abortion-on-demand to 16 weeks, and thereafter with the approval approval of two doctors.”
Mr O’Rourke said the results showed the advertising campaign had been a success. “People like the ads,” he said. “More importantly, they work.”
According to Emily’s Voice the latest Galaxy survey of 400 people 16 years and older showed 72% of Tasmanians recalled having seen the ads, with a total of 78% of people, and 82% of women saying they were credible.
Watch Emily’s Voice’s latest advertisement.
The decline in support has been attributed to a sustained television, print and radio and online advertising campaign funded by the group Emily’s Voice.
Emily’s Voice CEO Paul O’Rourke said the survey “showed that just 47% of women said they supported legislation passed last year allowing abortion-on-demand to 16 weeks, and thereafter with the approval approval of two doctors.”
Mr O’Rourke said the results showed the advertising campaign had been a success. “People like the ads,” he said. “More importantly, they work.”
According to Emily’s Voice the latest Galaxy survey of 400 people 16 years and older showed 72% of Tasmanians recalled having seen the ads, with a total of 78% of people, and 82% of women saying they were credible.
Watch Emily’s Voice’s latest advertisement.
Tas Anglican Bishop and ACL discuss offshore processing policy
In this 10 minute package, ACL's Katherine Spackman chats to Tasmanian Anglican Bishop John Harrower and then ACL's Managing Director Lyle Shelton. As part of Refugee week Bishop Harrower has proposed a Tasmanian Solution policy to move offshore processing to Tasmania. He says Tasmania has a track record of being hospitable and it would be cheaper to process in Tasmania then overseas. However, Mr Shelton says if you brought people to Australia it provides an incentive for people smugglers. He says ACL has reluctantly supported offshore processing to break the people smuggling business model which has seen 1100 people die at sea. He says if there are allegations of inhuman treatment at offshore processing it should be investigated and rectified but the act of offshore processing is not inhumane.Tas upper house election results 2014
ACL congratulates independents Kerry Finch (Rosevears) and Robert Armstrong (Huon) on their re-election/election to the Tasmanian Upper House. Many commentators are trying to read into the results given that neither of the Liberal Party candidates in either electorate got up. Some are even pointing at the federal influences on the outcome. I think ABC’s Antony Green sums it up well: “I don't think you can read too much into the result. The state government has been there only a few weeks. The rejection of two Liberals in favour of local Independents is perfectly normal for the Tasmanian Legislative Council . . . And for Federal implications, I think there are few”.
This time next year we will see another three upper house seats contested. Mike Gaffney (Mersey), Craig Farrell (Derwent) and Ivan Dean (Windermere) will all be up for re-election.
This time next year we will see another three upper house seats contested. Mike Gaffney (Mersey), Craig Farrell (Derwent) and Ivan Dean (Windermere) will all be up for re-election.
MR: Concern at push to decriminalise illicit drugs
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday 6th May 2014
The Australian Christian Lobby said it hopes a drug forum today won’t lead to the decriminalisation of some illicit drugs.
Today’s drug forum organised by Alcohol Tobacco and other Drugs Council (ATDC) in Hobart discusses decriminalising drugs such as cannabis and the ‘success’ this has had in other countries.
ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said it’s important society sends a strong message about the harm of drugs.
“The law plays an educative role in our society. Decriminalising illicit drugs such as cannabis sends the message that taking drugs is ok and can be safe,” he said.
“We should not be advocating for something that has the potential to ruin people’s lives and families.
“A recent study in the United States found that young people who smoke cannabis (even as little as one joint a week) had brain abnormalities that affected emotion and motivation. There is also heightened risk of adolescent users developing schizoaffective disorders in adult life.
“Australia has a clearly demonstrated problem with alcohol and drug abuse in the community, particularly amongst young people,” he said.
Mr Brown said people suffering an addiction to drugs should be given real solutions to their problems.
“Consideration should be given to other approaches like the successful Swedish approach to illicit drugs. The Swedish model makes drug rehabilitation mandatory for those found addicted and strong policing of street selling,” Mr Brown said.
ENDS
Tuesday 6th May 2014
The Australian Christian Lobby said it hopes a drug forum today won’t lead to the decriminalisation of some illicit drugs.
Today’s drug forum organised by Alcohol Tobacco and other Drugs Council (ATDC) in Hobart discusses decriminalising drugs such as cannabis and the ‘success’ this has had in other countries.
ACL’s Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said it’s important society sends a strong message about the harm of drugs.
“The law plays an educative role in our society. Decriminalising illicit drugs such as cannabis sends the message that taking drugs is ok and can be safe,” he said.
“We should not be advocating for something that has the potential to ruin people’s lives and families.
“A recent study in the United States found that young people who smoke cannabis (even as little as one joint a week) had brain abnormalities that affected emotion and motivation. There is also heightened risk of adolescent users developing schizoaffective disorders in adult life.
“Australia has a clearly demonstrated problem with alcohol and drug abuse in the community, particularly amongst young people,” he said.
Mr Brown said people suffering an addiction to drugs should be given real solutions to their problems.
“Consideration should be given to other approaches like the successful Swedish approach to illicit drugs. The Swedish model makes drug rehabilitation mandatory for those found addicted and strong policing of street selling,” Mr Brown said.
ENDS
The life of former Tasmanian independent Senator Brian Harradine
In this special edition of the ACL's radio program, The Political Spot, ACL's Katherine Spackman chats to Father Frank Brennan and former staffer Melinda Tankard Reist about the life of former Senator Brian Harradine. Mr Harradine was Australia's longest serving independent Senator. He recently passed away at the age of 79. Radio package 15 minutes.
Christopher Dawson Centre for Cultural Studies launched in Tasmania
Dr David Daintree is the Director of newly created Christopher Dawson Centre for Cultural Studies which was officially launched at Tasmania's Parliament House recently. ACL's Katherine Spackman spoke to Dr David Daintree about the Centre in this five minute interview. The Centre is a type of think tank which aims to encourage critical reflection and research on the history, literature, philosophy and theology that characterize Christian civilization and culture.
MR: Tasmanians reject Greens-Labor social agenda
MEDIA RELEASE
For release: Saturday March 15, 2014
The Australian Christian Lobby has congratulated the Liberal Party on its resounding win in the Tasmanian election and looks forward to working constructively with the new government.
ACL Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said the enormous amount of time the State Parliament spent debating contentious social issues such as same-sex marriage (twice), abortion and euthanasia had proven unattractive to mainstream voters.
Mr Brown said Christian voters had also been disappointed with the lack of engagement by Labor during the election campaign.
Premier-elect Will Hodgman and a large number of his candidates had participated in ACL election activities.
Mr Hodgman had participated in an election interview where he committed to amend anti-discrimination laws to provide a general exemption to Christian schools when it comes to enrolling students and hiring staff.
“This was a welcome announcement which means Christian schools will be able to enrol students and employ staff who share the ethos and values of the school without being in breach of anti-discrimination laws,” he said.
Mr Brown said the ALP’s lack of engagement with the Christian community may well have contributed to its election loss.
“Only one sitting Labor MP participated in the five Meet Your Candidate Forums conducted by the lobby throughout the state. This was in comparison with seven sitting Liberal MPs and three sitting Greens MPs who attended,” he said.
“The ALP’s poor result should make for some serious soul searching regarding the future direction of the party. Many Tasmanian Christian Labor voters were disappointed with the party’s lack of engagement with the constituency,” Mr Brown said.
Mr Brown said it was time for Labor to move back to the political centre to ensure its appeal to mainstream Tasmanians.
The disproportionate amount of time spent working with the Greens on a radical social reform agenda at the expense of front and centre issues like jobs and the economy has contributed significantly to tonight’s result. This sentiment was confirmed by former ALP Premier Paul Lennon who on last night’s ABC 7.30 Report stated “it was the preoccupation with the social issues in Parliament rather than the basic issues of health and education and job development”.
Mr Brown said Labor had much to commend to Christian voters and he hoped it would not give up on this constituency as it sought to rebuild.
“Labor has proud historical roots in Christianity amongst Irish Catholic workers and Protestant Methodists who were at the forefront of the creation of the trade union movement. The ALP in its rebuilding process should not ignore these important foundations and ensure its appeal encompasses the large Tasmanian Christian constituency,” he said.
For release: Saturday March 15, 2014
The Australian Christian Lobby has congratulated the Liberal Party on its resounding win in the Tasmanian election and looks forward to working constructively with the new government.
ACL Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said the enormous amount of time the State Parliament spent debating contentious social issues such as same-sex marriage (twice), abortion and euthanasia had proven unattractive to mainstream voters.
Mr Brown said Christian voters had also been disappointed with the lack of engagement by Labor during the election campaign.
Premier-elect Will Hodgman and a large number of his candidates had participated in ACL election activities.
Mr Hodgman had participated in an election interview where he committed to amend anti-discrimination laws to provide a general exemption to Christian schools when it comes to enrolling students and hiring staff.
“This was a welcome announcement which means Christian schools will be able to enrol students and employ staff who share the ethos and values of the school without being in breach of anti-discrimination laws,” he said.
Mr Brown said the ALP’s lack of engagement with the Christian community may well have contributed to its election loss.
“Only one sitting Labor MP participated in the five Meet Your Candidate Forums conducted by the lobby throughout the state. This was in comparison with seven sitting Liberal MPs and three sitting Greens MPs who attended,” he said.
“The ALP’s poor result should make for some serious soul searching regarding the future direction of the party. Many Tasmanian Christian Labor voters were disappointed with the party’s lack of engagement with the constituency,” Mr Brown said.
Mr Brown said it was time for Labor to move back to the political centre to ensure its appeal to mainstream Tasmanians.
The disproportionate amount of time spent working with the Greens on a radical social reform agenda at the expense of front and centre issues like jobs and the economy has contributed significantly to tonight’s result. This sentiment was confirmed by former ALP Premier Paul Lennon who on last night’s ABC 7.30 Report stated “it was the preoccupation with the social issues in Parliament rather than the basic issues of health and education and job development”.
Mr Brown said Labor had much to commend to Christian voters and he hoped it would not give up on this constituency as it sought to rebuild.
“Labor has proud historical roots in Christianity amongst Irish Catholic workers and Protestant Methodists who were at the forefront of the creation of the trade union movement. The ALP in its rebuilding process should not ignore these important foundations and ensure its appeal encompasses the large Tasmanian Christian constituency,” he said.
Candidate views on marriage highlight distinctions
As Tasmanians head to the polls, recent media articles about some candidate's support of 'same-sex marriage' have made further distinctions for voters ahead of Saturday's election.
The following candidates have expressed support for state-based same-sex marriage:
The following Liberal candidates have expressed in-principle support for same-sex marriage at the federal level:
These candidates are in addition to the ALP and Greens members who voted for same-sex marriage in the Tasmanian parliament.
Both Tasmanian Labor and the Tasmanian Greens have party positions in favour of state-based same-sex marriage law.
Results from upper house elections in May last year indicate that those candidates who have a strong view in support of 'same-sex marriage' were not favoured by Tasmanian voters.
The following candidates have expressed support for state-based same-sex marriage:
- Liberal candidates: Kyron Howell (Braddon), Sarah Courtney and Leonie McNair (Bass), Robert Mallett and Deborah DeWilliams (Denison)
- Nationals candidate Ken Dorsey (Braddon)
- Independent candidate Hans Willink (Denison)
The following Liberal candidates have expressed in-principle support for same-sex marriage at the federal level:
- Jeremy Rockliff (Braddon) and Rene Kling (Denison): link
These candidates are in addition to the ALP and Greens members who voted for same-sex marriage in the Tasmanian parliament.
Both Tasmanian Labor and the Tasmanian Greens have party positions in favour of state-based same-sex marriage law.
Results from upper house elections in May last year indicate that those candidates who have a strong view in support of 'same-sex marriage' were not favoured by Tasmanian voters.