Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Leader
The Greens are pleased an amended motion calling on all parties and MPs to support card-based pokies harm reduction measures was agreed to in Parliament today.
We hoped our motion would provide Tasmanians with certainty on pokies harm minimisation, should there be change of government.
Our original motion asked for a commitment from parties and members not to abolish or weaken harm minimisation measures, if in government after the next state election.
Unfortunately, the Government refused to support our original wording, and neither major party committed to a policy position after the next state election – which is due to be held about a year after harm reduction measures are introduced.
The Premier was also evasive during questioning this morning, when asked if some members of Cabinet are acting to undermine this policy. Given the overwhelming support from the community sector, his deflection is disappointing.
There is no doubt the Tasmanian Hospitality Association has been on the phone to everyone.
While our motion was watered down, consensus on the amended motion was welcome. Today’s vote was a good commitment to the reforms from all parties and MPs, but it’s deeply regrettable this matter could not have been put to rest.
We were hoping for what could have been a powerful moment of political consensus on a matter of Tasmanian lives and livelihoods going into the future. Rest assured, we won’t let this go.