Peter Newell's National Press Club Address
This is a PDF copy of the National Press Club Address by ClubsAustralia President Peter Newell OAM on Wednesday 23 March, 2011. It was televised live on the ABC.
The address focused on the club industry’s opposition to mandatory pre-commitment, with Mr Newell arguing that Tasmanian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie’s $3 billion poker machine reforms are designed to deter recreational gamblers and would not stop problem gamblers from betting.
Peter Newell accused Andrew Wilkie and his followers of ignoring the advice of some of Australia’s leading gambling experts and welfare groups who have concluded that mandatory pre-commitment will not help problem gamblers stop betting.
Peter Newell said: "The Australian Government has seen plenty of evidence only in the last couple of months that this is a flawed proposal as far as helping problem gamblers is concerned. Australia’s leading academic on problem gambling, Professor Alex Blaszczynski, advised a Parliamentary Committee chaired by the Member for Denison himself that pre-commitment is unlikely to have a significant impact on the majority of problem gamblers, and may even exacerbate problem gambling. Common sense tells you he’s right, because problem gamblers are unlikely to set affordable limits and are likely to set high limits or none at all.”
“And with regard to the absence of cost-benefit analysis, isn’t this an amazing way to make public policy on the run – announce a wide-ranging measure impacting on millions of people, and only after that perhaps look to see what it might cost,” Peter Newell said.
Member Clubs will be kept abreast of all key developments in this fight for our industry’s survival and the important role your club can play in communicating our message to club members and key stakeholders.
For any further queries, please contact:
Carissa Simons
Senior Media Officer
ClubsNSW / ClubsAustralia
Direct: (02) 9268 3069
Mobile: 0417 348 659
Email: csimons@clubsnsw.com.au