NEGOTIATION AND COMPROMISE ON POKER MACHINES IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET IT RIGHT

INDEPENDENT Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott says he supports Andrew Wilkie and Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s efforts to negotiate a result that addresses problem gambling, and one that can pass both Houses of Parliament.
“Negotiation and compromise is a strength in politics, not a weakness,” Mr Oakeshott said.
“Andrew Wilkie should be congratulated on making sure this issue, problem gambling, will be dealt with in this 43rd Parliament, and that reform dealing with problem gambling – as per the two Productivity Commission reports of the past 12 years – will occur.
“Last week, I indicated to both the Prime Minister and Mr Wilkie that I had concerns about the lack of detail on proposed legislation, and concerns that the detail wouldn’t be available in time for this session of Parliament. It is not in my job description to vote for a blank sheet of paper - the details matter.
“It is critical we have the detail on whether mandatory pre-commitment can work in an Australian context, as well as the detail on how mandatory pre-commitment would work in Australia.
“A trial, as recommended by the independent Productivity Commission, would be valuable, and a trial, like it or not, will take more than eight weeks,” Mr Oakeshott said.
“Supporting a comprehensive trial of mandatory pre-commitment technology is not taking the foot off the ‘reform accelerator’ in this session of Parliament.
“There is plenty of good work that can happen through legislation or a COAG process while a trial occurs, and I strongly urge Mr Wilkie and the Prime Minister to also take up this challenge and shape a broad package that delivers for lower socio-economic communities, for problem gamblers, and for state governments trying to give up their own poker machine revenue addictions,” Mr Oakeshott said.
ENDS
Media contact: Sharon Fuller - Ph. 0429 787320