Document Actions
'Gambling Help' $2.4m plan just cosmetic surgery
Wednesday 01 April 2009
Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said today the government's three year, $2.4 million 'Gambling Help' plan is an act of cosmetic policy making which shows up its abject failure to restrict gambling opportunities, properly fund treatment services and restructure the NSW bureaucracy to make gambling the responsibility of NSW Health.
"The government has consistently refused to increase the 2 per cent
levy on Star City Casino revenue to provide more funding to the
Responsible Gambling Fund for counselling services," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Problem gambling services have been bled bone dry and there is an
urgent need for more funding for prevention and early intervention and
education and treatment services.
"The government appears to lack the political will to reign in the
gambling industry which is the real solution to problem gambling in this
state
"The government must arrange 'buy back' arrangements to cut the number
of machines, ban ATMs from gambling venues and follow Victoria’s lead
and give local government a far more significant regulatory role.
"Repackaging existing services and branding them with a fancy name will
do little to address the real need for expanded treatment and
counselling services in this state.
"This initiative is designed to make the government look like it is
acting on problem gambling, but really it's tinkering around the edges.
"Gaming and Racing Minister Kevin Greene needs to pursue a much tougher
reform agenda.
"Minister Greene should hand responsibility for gambling to NSW Health,
following New Zealand's lead, and set targets for reducing the number of
poker machines in NSW.
"The reality is that the millions in revenue and political donations
flowing to the government from the gambling industry have led to a
catastrophic failure in public policy in NSW," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
