Alex Hawke Invites Local Residents To Have Their Say On Gambling Reform
Thursday, 03 November 2011
The release of the Federal Coalition’s Policy Discussion Paper on Gambling Reform is an opportunity for residents of the Hills area to have their on the important issue of problem gambling said Alex Hawke MP, Federal Member for Mitchell.
The discussion paper covers all types of gambling including the fast growing area of online gambling.
“I understand that gambling is a major problem for some people,” Alex Hawke said.
“For many others, it is a recreational activity that they enjoy responsibly within personal limits that they set for themselves. It is also an industry that employs over 150,000 people throughout Australia including many people here in the Hills.
“It is not just through employment, the RSL, bowling, golf and other type of clubs through our area provide valuable amenities and services to people of all ages not to mention the countless support that they provide to helping younger Australians get more involved in sport.
“The challenge for governments is balancing the legitimate right of adult Australians to gamble responsibly with the establishment of appropriate protections and support for the small number of people for whom gambling can have tragic personal and financial consequences.
“The Coalition’s approach to problem gambling is about addressing the social, economic and policy challenges of gambling reform. The Gillard Government and its mandatory pre-commitment scheme is about responding to the politics of minority government.”
“I am not persuaded that mandatory pre-commitment will address problem gambling. Indeed, my concern is the significant flow-on impacts on employment and on our local community.
“Copies of the discussion paper can be downloaded from www.liberal.org.au and are also available from my electorate office.”
The Policy Discussion Paper on Gambling Reform presents a number of policy options on which we seek community and industry comment.
These options include:
· A national voluntary pre-commitment programme
· More and better targeted counselling and support services
· A nationally consistent ‘self-exclusion’ programme, including consideration of extending self-exclusion programmes to third parties, such as immediate family members
· Prohibiting betting firms offering credit to gamblers
· Prohibiting the promotion of live odds during the live broadcast of a sports event
Alex Hawke MP said that Mr Abbott has established a Working Group to consider the responses from the community, industry, state and territory governments and to investigate options that effectively address problem gambling.
“I invite community members to participate in this debate, by reading the discussion paper and giving me their feedback which I can pass on to the Working Group.”
“The Working Group is receiving written submissions until 31 January 2012 and is expected to report back to the Federal Leader of the Opposition by the end of February 2012.”