10 Major Policy Issues for Families

Put your family first ...

Written and Authorized by Chris Baker, Chris Baker Shop 4, 999 Lower North East Road, Highbury SA 5089
Copyright © 2007 All rights reserved FAMILY FIRST Party

Curbing South Australia’s addiction to gambling

The FAMILY FIRST Party is concerned that may people in our society have become addicted to gambling to the detriment of society.  FAMILY FIRST believes that poker machine numbers must be reduced and, over time, eliminated from hotels as they are a key factor in problem gambling.

 

2008

FAMILY FIRST's reform to prevent corruption in sports betting opposed, may be supported in 2009 (click here for Speech on the Bill, and Debate on the Amendment)

The State Government's latest initiative against internet gambling was rushed through Parliament in November.  Unlike TAB betting, internet betting includes betting on outcomes such as a loss, which is an opening for corruption so that players throw matches.  Among other things the Bill put in place anti-corruption measures but only for the racing industry.  The Hon Robert Brokenshire MLC moved an amendment seeking to extend those anti-corruption measures to all sports betting.  The Government and Opposition opposed the move, though the Government gave a commitment to implement reforms on that issue in 2009 and the Opposition expressed sympathy for FAMILY FIRST's position and would take an open mind to it when the matter was reviewed.

2007

Statutes Amendment (Prohibition On Minors Participating In Lotteries) Bill — February 21st, 2007
Gaming Machines (Club One) Amendment Bill, 14.03.07
Lottery And Gaming (Betting On Losing) Amendment Bill — March 14th, 2007
State Lotteries (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill — March 15th, 2007
Gaming Machines (Hours of Operation) Amendment Bill — FAMILY FIRST Bill — May 30th, 2007
Statutes Amendment (Gambling Regulation) Bill — June 6th, 2007

 

2003

Extension of Freeze on Gaming Machines
Statutes Amendment (Investigation and Regulation of Gaming Licensees) Bill — November 13th 2003

 

2002
Hon Andrew Evans MLC - Maiden Speech — May 9th, 2002
Gaming Machines (Gaming Tax) Amendment Bill — October 15th, 2002

Questions in Parliament on this issue:

2006
Casino — May 8th, 2006 (answered November 2nd, 2006)

2004
Adelaide Casino — December 6th, 2004

2007
Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund —  11.11.08       NGOs left hanging — funding wasted?

Recent Results or Media Mentions on this issue:

POKIE OPENING HOURS:
FAMILY FIRST recently won support from all the cross-bench parties, but neither the Liberal or Labor parties, to restrict pokie opening hours so there would be no morning gambling on pokies.

EXPANSION OF GAMING OPPORTUNITIES
The FAMILY FIRST Party has been assisting members of the public concerned about expansion of poker machine numbers at pubs and clubs near their homes, advising them on how to lodge objections to the expansion.