Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens' Leader and Treasury spokesperson
The Greens hope all Liberal and Labor MPs will read in detail Anglicare's report on the enormous economic and social benefits that would flow if the toxic Federal monopoly Deed is extinguished.
Professor John Mangan's report details the positive economic returns to Tasmanian communities from removing pokies from pubs and clubs.
It confirms the monopoly Deed allows the Federal Group to suck around $200 million a year out of some of our poorest communities at significant economic and social cost.
Even using conservative modelling, the report found the Tasmanian economy would improve by $91 million annually in gross turnover, if pokies were removed from pubs and clubs.
That's $91 million that could be spent in our communities, to sustain small businesses not reliant on the misery of those Tasmanians afflicted as a result of gambling addiction.
The evidence is overwhelming, poker machines in our communities pour hundreds of millions of dollars into the Farrell family coffers, whilst the losses are felt deeply within Tasmanian homes and for those in the social services sector who are left to pick up the pieces.
Professor Mangan's report also detailed how those currently employed in pubs and clubs could be absorbed into the hospitality industry, currently facing a staff shortage.
This report details that there is nothing to fear from removing pokies from our pubs and clubs and that the social benefit far outweighs any short term disruption.
If the Liberals and Labor are serious about fulfilling their obligation and responsibility to do the right thing by the Tasmanian people, they will have the courage to vote to extinguish the monopoly Deed.
Labor candidates who say they don't support pokies in pubs and clubs need to be honest with Tasmanians about whether they would cross the floor to vote down the Deed, or if their expressed public concern is just opportunistic posturing.