Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie says he may end support for Australia’s minority government after Prime Minister Julia Gillard reneged on her promise to him that gambling reform legislation would be implemented by May and pre-commitment technology for gaming machines be in place by 2014. Now mandatory pre-commitment technology is to be delayed until 2016 although a trial will be conducted in the small Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Mr Wilkie has declared Gillard to be in breach of a signed written agreement on pokies reform. “The government's explanation that it doesn't have the numbers is simply wrong. The legislation should be debated in the parliament and tested on the floor of the House.” He has said he won't give up on pushing for pre-commitment technology and $1 bet limits but will back government plans for the diluted reform compromise.
According to the government a trial of the technology is important and will commence in the ACT on 1 January 2013. It maintains that there is a lack of support in the House of Representatives for Wilkie’s reforms. The government also has announced amendments
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to the proposed legislation. These include introducing a $250 daily withdrawal limit from ATMs in gaming venues, except casinos, by February 2013, additional counselling support for problem gamblers and a ban on promotion of live odds during sports coverage.
Anti-gambling campaigners and religious leaders have vowed to keep lobbying for more action on problem gambling. Clubs Australia, the association of licensed club owners, said it would await further details of the amendments to proposed legislation before making a decision to drop its opposition to the implementation of mandatory pre-determination technology. (E-01.24.12)
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