The Greens are pushing to retain local councils' right to charge increased rates
to pokies venues so that they can tackle problem gambling in their communities.
Ballarat City Council introduced increased rates for pokie venues in the
latest budget to raise money to help tackle problem gambling, deter new pokies
venues and fund VCAT hearings when poker machine venues disagree with a council
decision not to grant or increase machines. Poker machine venues in
Manningham, Moreland and Darebin also pay higher than standard rates. As
reported in The Courier on August 31, legislation before state parliament is
clearing the way for guidelines on the use of differential rates to give the
local government minister the power to reject applications for differential
rates. Current debate reveals that the proposed new rules will be supported
by the Labor opposition. The Greens will oppose this legislation and fight
for local councils' right to tackle problem gambling. Ballarat council
should stand up to the Baillieu government on this issue instead of taking a "we
will just have to wait and see" approach. While many local councils are
attempting to take a firm stance against pokies by developing strong local
policies, the Baillieu government and Labor opposition are actively working
against them in their efforts to address the social and financial harm caused by
pokies in communities. The Age recently reported that the Australian Hotels
and Hospitality Association confirmed that the association had lobbied for
action on differential rates during the 2010 state election campaign. Australian
Electoral Commission records show the association was one of the most generous
donors to both major parties during the campaign, donating $145,000 to the
Coalition and $168,000 to Labor in the 2010-11 financial year. Locally,
there is mounting community pressure on Ballarat council to oppose an
application for poker machines at Oscar's Hotel and stand firm on their
electronic gaming policy. Many people in Ballarat would like the local
council to have the ability to implement policies that reduce harm associated
with problem gambling. BELINDA COATES Greens candidate, Central
Ballarat
The Greens are pushing to retain local councils' right to charge increased rates
to pokies venues so that they can tackle problem gambling in their communities.
Ballarat City Council introduced increased rates for pokie venues in the
latest budget to raise money to help tackle problem gambling, deter new pokies
venues and fund VCAT hearings when poker machine venues disagree with a council
decision not to grant or increase machines.
Poker machine venues in
Manningham, Moreland and Darebin also pay higher than standard rates.
As
reported in The Courier on August 31, legislation before state parliament is
clearing the way for guidelines on the use of differential rates to give the
local government minister the power to reject applications for differential
rates.
Current debate reveals that the proposed new rules will be supported
by the Labor opposition.
The Greens will oppose this legislation and fight
for local councils' right to tackle problem gambling.
Ballarat council
should stand up to the Baillieu government on this issue instead of taking a "we
will just have to wait and see" approach.
While many local councils are
attempting to take a firm stance against pokies by developing strong local
policies, the Baillieu government and Labor opposition are actively working
against them in their efforts to address the social and financial harm caused by
pokies in communities.
The Age recently reported that the Australian Hotels
and Hospitality Association confirmed that the association had lobbied for
action on differential rates during the 2010 state election campaign. Australian
Electoral Commission records show the association was one of the most generous
donors to both major parties during the campaign, donating $145,000 to the
Coalition and $168,000 to Labor in the 2010-11 financial year.
Locally,
there is mounting community pressure on Ballarat council to oppose an
application for poker machines at Oscar's Hotel and stand firm on their
electronic gaming policy.
Many people in Ballarat would like the local
council to have the ability to implement policies that reduce harm associated
with problem gambling.
