Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
In the midst of a global pandemic, when all public health warnings are about the mitigation of risk to people's lives, the Federal Group appears not to fully grasp the deadly seriousness of the health risk within their pokies venues.
As confirmed by public health specialists from across the country in an open letter to governments today, poker machine venues are a potential infection hot spot. This fact is acknowledged by the Federal Group, by virtue of their half measure to make vacant every second machine in the interest of social distancing.
Closing every second machine rather than every machine in the midst of a deadly pandemic unfortunately leads to the conclusion that profits are being prioritized.
Pokies users are often in high risk categories, older and with chronic health conditions. In terms of COVID-19 risk, the same is true.
If they want to do the right thing on public safety, Federal Group will close their pokies venues, today.