When we went to the last election in 2018, the position of all three political parties was clear.
The Liberals were going to give a special deal to the pokies industry through legislation that was to be tabled in this term of the Parliament. Labor told Tasmanians it was going to back the removal of poker machines from pubs and clubs. The Greens’ position against these machines, of course, has been oxygen clear for a very long time.
We're in a very different position now.
With both the Liberal and Labor parties now set to back in the extension of pokies in pubs and clubs until 2043, more transparency from Peter Gutwein and Rebecca White is needed.
We know, from an answer the Premier gave in Parliament last week, that should he win he will introduce amendments to the Gaming Control Act into Parliament in the first half of this year.
The Premier needs to tell Tasmanians what tax rate he's decided Federal Hotels will pay on poker machines in their casinos under the new laws.
Despite repeated requests from anti-pokies advocates, this figure has never been revealed and is a critical clinch point in negotiations between the Gutwein Government and the Federal Group.
Will the Farrells again get special treatment in the form of a subsidised tax rate?
Another question that needs an answer - is what is Labor’s position?
We are calling on both the Premier and Rebecca White to be more transparent with the people of Tasmania about where they stand on this legislation.
They can’t get away with not telling Tasmanians where they stand on this issue, given the enormous social harm the legislation will embed in our community for the next 25 years.
