Perrottet on Tuesday extended an offer to work with Victorian Premier Dan Andrews on enacting gambling reform,insisting the two largest states could repeat the success of policy partnerships that emerged during the pandemic.
“When NSW and Victoria go well,the entire country goes well,” he said. “If we take action,the country takes action.”
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is holding a press conference with Police Commissioner Karen Webb to discuss the government’s response to the NSW Crime Commission’s report into money laundering via gaming machines.
It follows the unveiling of the premier’s long-promised $340 million pokies reform package,which seeks to turn within five years.
In Melbourne on Tuesday,Andrews flagged that he was open to the introduction of cashless cards for Victoria’s 30,000 pokies machines,softening his long-held resistance to such gaming reform.
“Will there never be any future changes? I wouldn’t rule that out;I wouldn’t say that,” Andrews said. “For those for whom there is a real problem,a wicked problem[gambling addiction],we have to support them.”
Tasmania will be the first state to introduce a mandatory cashless gaming card next year,while NSW will follow suit if the Coalition claims victory at the March election.
Perrottet on Tuesday said he was also prepared to explore the cost of buying back more than the 2000 machines promised in his five-year policy.
“You always adjust your policy settings. We’re on a five-year journey here to achieve cashless gaming in NSW. Everything that we can do to stop money laundering and problem gambling in this state,we will,” he said.
“We’ll work through the finances on that. But the modelling that I’ve received is that,within a five-year period,buying back 2000 pokie machines in this state is something that is attainable.”
While some industry voices have warned that a statewide conversion to cashless gaming in clubs and pubs could cost jobs in small regional communities,Nationals member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said he was optimistic about the transition.
Layzell,who holds his seat by just 2.6 per cent,conceded he originally held serious concerns about the impact the reforms would have on regional NSW,but was pleased with the package outlined by Perrottet on Monday.
“You’ve got to hand it to the premier,he garnered that support and kept bringing that support forward,and forward,and forward until no one wanted to be that person who was standing between reform and gambling addiction,” Layzell said.
“We could all see the social need for it,it’s just,it’s scary when you’re sitting on a marginal seat,put it that way.”
Under Premier Dominic Perrottet’s reform plan,cash will be removed from all poker machines by December 31,2028.Janie Barrett
Perrottet,who has described the plan as the biggest social,community,and law enforcement reform in the state’s history,on Tuesday said it would also bolster new laws targeting unexplained wealth,money laundering and encrypted devices,which came into effect a week ago.
Opposition Leader Chris Minns a Labor government would conduct a mandatory trial for 500 poker machines if it won the March election,insisting that more evidence was needed to prove the worth of cashless gaming.
Minns has since said Labor would adopt the plan to buy back 2000 poker machines over the next five years.
Perrottet on Tuesday said gambling harm was a bigger problem in NSW than anywhere else in the country,conceding that he was driven by his faith in seeking reform.
It followed his initial response to the former head of ClubsNSW Josh Landis, the premier’s pursuit of cashless gaming was motivated by his “conservative Catholic gut” rather than evidence. Landis was sacked within 24 hours.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet,Police Commissioner Karen Webb and deputy commissioner Dave Hudson meet for a briefing on Tuesday.Flavio Brancaleone
Perrottet last week rejected the proposition that he was driven by his faith,but said he has since changed his view.
“We’re shaped and moulded by our backgrounds ... I think my faith has provided a strong sense of social justice and looking after the vulnerable,” he said.
With Sumeyya Ilanbey
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