[Greens-Media] Keno and Labor donations * what is the connection Premier Iemma?

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release - 19 September 2007

Keno and Labor donations * what is the connection Premier Iemma?

Greens MP and gambling spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Premier
Morris Iemma to reverse his decision to allow Keno into hotels as his
party has received millions of dollars in donations from the hotel
industry (p. 1, Sydney Morning Herald).

"Premier Iemma's reputation is on the line. The introduction of Keno
into hotels will allow many of the big donors to the Labor Party to make
massive profits," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Keno in pubs is bad news. Hotel profits might soar, but introducing
another mode of gambling will see NSW grow as a gambling state, with
problem gamblers and their families the losers.

"Keno in pubs follows on from the NSW government's decision to allow
poker machines in hotels. At the same time these change have been made,
the hotel industry * the pubs and the Australian Hotels Association
* are making generous donations to the Labor Party.

"From 1998 to 2006 hotels have donated $2.45 million and the Australian
Hotels Association $717,520 to the NSW branch of the ALP.

"We don't know what deals are made at the fund raising dinners when
much of this money changes hands.

"Premier Iemma needs to admit he made a mistake today and stop the
introduction of Keno into NSW hotels.

"He risks being shown up by Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court who
are recommending South Sydney Leagues Club bans poker machines," Ms
Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568



--------------------------------------------------
Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Email lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web http://www.lee.greens.org.au/

If you wish to receive The Greens Parliamentary Ebrief please send a
return email with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. (This ebrief
comes out approximately every fortnight.)

To get Greens media releases emailed, sign up at
<http://lists.greens.org.au/mailman/listinfo/media>
-------------- next part --------------
BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:2.1
X-GWTYPE:USER
FN:Lee Rhiannon
ORG:;LC - Rhiannon
EMAIL;WORK;PREF;NGW:Lee.Rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
N:Rhiannon;Lee
TITLE:MLC
END:VCARD