[Greens-Media] Greens call for Gambling Summit to shift to public health approach on growing crisis

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release - 20 September 2007 

Greens call for Gambling Summit to shift to public health approach on
growing crisis

Greens MP and gambling spokesperson Lee Rhiannon today called on both
the NSW government and Opposition to support a Gambling Summit to allow
experts, politicians and the community to bring forward a public health
plan to deal with the growing crisis. 

"A Gambling Summit is urgently needed in NSW to consider issues such as
the negative impacts of gambling, the conflict of interest between
politicians and gambling proponents, and what limits should be placed on
the gambling industry," Ms Rhiannon said.

*I will be writing to Premier Morris Iemma today urging that he call
a Summit empowered to bring forward recommendations on gambling.  NSW
Labor has called summits on drugs, alcohol and obesity so there is no
reason to not hold one on gambling. 

*It is time Premier Iemma and Opposition leader Barry O*Farrell
caught up with public opinion and addressed rising community concerns
about the increase in gambling and the associated problems.

"Mr O*Farrell along with Premier Iemma has to accept responsibility
for NSW being tagged the gambling state. 

*Liberal and National MPs in the NSW parliament have consistently
supported the Labor government in weakening licensing laws and
increasing the number of gaming machines. 

*In the period that Labor and the Coalition have supported these
changes that favour the gambling industry they have accepted massive
donations from the hotel and club bodies. 

*Hotels and the Australian Hotels Association donated more than $2.9
million to NSW Labor between 1998-9 and 2004-5. In the same period the
Liberals and National parties received more that $1.3 million. 

*NSW Clubs donated $950,000 to NSW Labor and $135,000 to the
Coalition over the same seven year period. 

*Both Premier Iemma and Mr O*Farrell should demonstrate their
commitment to solving this crisis by backing the Summit and announcing
that they will no longer take donations from the hotel and club
industry," Ms Rhiannon said. 

For more information * 9230 3551, 0427 861 568



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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/

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