[Greens-Media] Reissue - Media Release - Vic Upper House Moves to Set Up Inquiry Into Pokies

[Freja.Leonard at parliament.vic.gov.au]

This is a reissue of a February media release due to renewed interest in 
the content.


Release Date:   Wednesday 14 February 2007

Vic Upper House Moves to Set Up Inquiry Into Pokies

Victoria's upper house has established a wide ranging inquiry into 
gambling, and the issue of poker machines and lottery licences, 
with crucial Green support.

Greens MLC and Gambling spokesperson Greg Barber said:  "Victoria's pokies 
are among the most aggressive, voracious 
gambling machines in the world."

"If the Government is proposing to extend pokie licences for 20 years from 
2012 then we are asking ourselves a $64 billion dollar question.  Do we 
want pokies in Victoria, if so under what conditions?" Mr Barber said.

"The community thinks the industry probably does more harm than good. 
Prior to the election and certainly during the campaign, 
people are becoming more and more aware that pokies prey on the poorest 
and most vulnerable members of society.   They are 
a reverse-Robin Hood tax," Mr Barber said.

The inquiry will look at the probity of a current tender for a lotteries 
licence, at the poker machine operator licences and the overall policies 
and laws that govern gambling in Victoria.

For further comment please contact:  Greg Barber, 0433 044 771

Freja Leonard
Electorate Officer
The Office of Greg Barber MP

Suite G-01/60 Leicester Street
Carlton  VIC  3053
P:  03 9348 2622
F:  03 9348 2699
E:  freja.leonard at parliament.vic.gov.au


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Greg Barber MLC
State Member of Parliament for Northern Metropolitan Region

Phone:  03 9348 2622	  
Fax:     03 9348 2699	              
Email:  greg.barber at parliament.vic.gov.au   
Office and Postal Address:  Suite G01, 60 Leicester St  Carlton  3053


MEDIA RELEASE

Release Date:	Wednesday 14 February 2007

Vic Upper House Moves to Set Up Inquiry Into Pokies

Victoria's upper house has established a wide ranging inquiry into gambling, and the issue of poker machines and lottery licences, with crucial Green support.

Greens MLC and Gambling spokesperson Greg Barber said:  "Victoria's pokies are among the most aggressive, voracious gambling machines in the world."

"If the Government is proposing to extend pokie licences for 20 years from 2012 then we are asking ourselves a $64 billion dollar question.  Do we want pokies in Victoria, if so under what conditions?" Mr Barber said.

"The community thinks the industry probably does more harm than good.  Prior to the election and certainly during the campaign, people are becoming more and more aware that pokies prey on the poorest and most vulnerable members of society.   They are a reverse-Robin Hood tax," Mr Barber said.

The inquiry will look at the probity of a current tender for a lotteries licence, at the poker machine operator licences and the overall policies and laws that govern gambling in Victoria.

For further comment please contact:  Greg Barber, 0433 044 771