Around 500 members from the 96 clubs in the Eden-Monaro electorate converged on Braidwood yesterday to make their feelings known about the Federal Government’s proposed anti problem-gambling legislation, especially mandatory pre-commitment.
Waving banners and placards the crowd was confined by police to marching on the footpaths.
This didn’t stop them from stopping traffic as they chanted out “Wilkie leave our clubs alone”, “Hands off our clubs Wilkie”, “Kelly save our clubs” and “Kelly save our jobs”.
Tasmanian Independent Andrew Wilkie was clearly in the firing line. His deal with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, that she address problem gambling through legislating for reforms such as mandatory pre-commitment in exchange for his support in a nearly hung parliament, has sitting Labor members squirming.
They are concerned about representing clubs and pubs in their electorates who stand to lose considerable income should mandatory pre-commitment become law.
That lost income can reasonably be expected to translate into lost jobs, services and facilities.
For small rural communities like Eden such losses would be crippling.
Eden-Monaro MP Dr Mike Kelly attended the rally and was applauded by the crowd for doing so.
Dr Kelly was quick to steer the debate about gambling reform onto the treatment of problem gamblers.
“When you tackle this subject you have to be very careful about it, and what we are talking about here is problem gambling. The issue is how do you deal with problem gambling?
“In all my discussion with clubs and pubs (in my electorate) - and in part I’d like to play tribute to Peter Cook and Jeremy White - all of them understand there is an issue with problem gambling and that we have to do something about it.
“Every pub and club in Eden-Monaro has a policy in place for dealing with problem gambling but they’re willing to have discussions about what more can be done.
“There is a problem often being missed in this debate, and that is the treatment of problem gamblers. Problem gambling is a mental health issue for people who are suffering with an addiction. The ACT is leading the way in dealing with this. I call on the NSW Government to help me out here. The NSW Government should be stepping forward now, emulating what the ACT has done in the gambling treatment space, solve the problem at the cause, at it’s heart,” Dr Kelly said.
“There’s a long way to go. I’m determined to represent your views. Whatever we do we have to make sure it doesn’t threaten the viability of our clubs.”
Peter Newell, president of Clubs Australia, echoed Dr Kelly’s sentiments.
“Today pubs and clubs are threatened by a Tasmanian MP and the deal he has struck with our Prime Minister to keep her in power.
“Without his vote, it’s no secret she would lose government.
“It’s a deal that’s supposed to be all about helping problem gamblers. In fact it will not help those people and will penalise the vast majority who do not have a problem and will send our clubs to the wall on the way past,” Mr Newell said.
“Clubs Australia wants not one dollar from problem gamblers and wants reform that actually helps problem gamblers and where we can take meaningful steps forward.”
Bega Valley Shire mayor Tony Allen also addressed the rally, invoking the Anzac spirit as he spoke about Australian’s hard fought right to choice.
“I can’t say how proud I am especially of the people of the Bega Valley Shire, who have come here today. It reminds me of the Anzac Day spirit.
“You are here to make a point about choice. Choice should be protected and preserved and this choice has come to us as a result of the Anzac spirit.
“We should be able to choose what we want to do. If it’s to go to a club and play cards, pokies or have a beer that should be preserved.
“This rally empowers your Federal Member, Mike Kelly to carry your views.
“When he goes back to Cabinet and he tells them that hundreds of people came on a cold wintry day to Braidwood from all over the coast to support a cause, it makes his position a lot stronger and gives him bargaining power,” Mr Allen said to rousing cheering.
The rally in Braidwood is one of a rolling series planned by clubs and pubs across Australia.
More than 10 million Australians are members of licensed clubs making it an odds on even favourite that this issue will continue to make headlines for some time to come.
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