At Tuesday night's meeting Council voted unaminously on the following three important issues - all were first time initiatives for Glen Eira with having been raised in previous posts on this blog. All Councillors deserve credit for their support.
item 9.6 Gambling Reform- the report on this item provided depressing statistics on the amount of losses in our municipality, $75m in 10/11. An alternative motion was supported which endorsed and advocated for poker machine reforms as recommended by the 2010 Productivity Commission report.
item 9.8 Take-a-Break childcare program an alternative motion was moved and supported which will provide full interim funding(approx $30k)for this much needed Community/Neighbourhood house childcare program in 2012- and included further measures to advocate strongly that the Fed/State govts reinstate their funding committments- This is the first time a council in Victoria has done this to prevent the program closing on Dec 31st.
item 9.9 GE Carbon Reduction Plan- approved the draft plan with some changes after recieving public submissions - A significant step forward by Council in reducing CO2 emmissions and responsding to the challenges of impending climate change.
Full minutes showing the details of these motions listed in the links section , bottom right.
Showing posts with label gambling reform. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gambling reform. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Poker Machine reform - report requested
At last Tuesday night's I moved that the following report be provided to council. Seconded Cr Magee and passed unaminously.
"That a report be provided to Council on the poker machine reforms currently being considered by the Federal Government.This report to also include details on the latest data and spending , including poker machine losses, in the City of Glen Eira".
In requesting this report I spoke on the following points-
Out of approx $19billion wagered each year in Aust $13billion is spent on poker machines.
In 09/10 Glen Eira had three hotels rated in amongst the highest losses for Victoria.
no.24 Rosstown Hotel Carnegie($14m) ,
no.31 Racecourse Tabaret Caulfield($12.5m ),
no.33 Zagames Hotel Caulfield($12.3m)
source Victorian Govt Gaming authority see links bottom right
We may well have one of the higher $loss per capitas in Victoria - and that this was not just a problem for the outer suburbs as is regularly percieved.
"That a report be provided to Council on the poker machine reforms currently being considered by the Federal Government.This report to also include details on the latest data and spending , including poker machine losses, in the City of Glen Eira".
In requesting this report I spoke on the following points-
Out of approx $19billion wagered each year in Aust $13billion is spent on poker machines.
In 09/10 Glen Eira had three hotels rated in amongst the highest losses for Victoria.
no.24 Rosstown Hotel Carnegie($14m) ,
no.31 Racecourse Tabaret Caulfield($12.5m ),
no.33 Zagames Hotel Caulfield($12.3m)
source Victorian Govt Gaming authority see links bottom right
We may well have one of the higher $loss per capitas in Victoria - and that this was not just a problem for the outer suburbs as is regularly percieved.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Gambling/Pokies reform - time for Council to take a position
There has been a lot in the news recently about poker machine reform in response to the wide range of problems experienced by many in our community - Yesterday I wrote to fellow Councillors highlighting this. It is very significant issue that needs tighter controls.
The statistics are quite incredible - see article in links under gambling reform
Many Councils are passing motions like in Manningham (see below).
I would like to see Glen Eira also pass a similar resolution supporting reform.
The main arguement being played out seems to be not whether reforms are needed but how you do it, the most debated being the pre-committment reform which involves technology changes and the cost that goes with it.
In my view limiting the amounts that can be gambled on the machines is a better more cost-effective way to go. At present in any of our pubs/clubs there are rows of machines where you can bet upto $5 everytime one pushes the spin button which can mean every few secs. It is a very different world/scenerio to having a few bets say on yesterday's Caulfeld Cup!
I understand that for some Crs. this will be new territory and the usual 'chesnut' that its a State issue that we shouldn't be involved in will be put up or thats in some way a curtailing of 'individual rights'.
My response would be that we advocate and take a position on many State issues that affect and protect our community from grade separation to planning. This is an important social issue that we should be at least advocating for reform on.
Without a notice of motion provision (the ability for Crs to place a motion on the Council agenda), it will be quite challenging to have this issue debated and voted on!
Passed 8-1 at the Manningham council meeting held on June 28, 2011
That Council:
A. Endorses the Productivity Commission recommendation for a maximum bet limit on poker machines of $1 per ‘button push'.
B. Notes the Productivity Commission recommendation for a full pre-commitment scheme for electronic gaming machines in all States and
Territories as a "strong, practicable and ultimately cost-effective option for harm minimisation".
C. Endorses the preferred option of the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform to impose a maximum $1 bet per button push, $120 hourly loss limit and maximum prize of $500.
D. For electronic gaming machines regarded as "high intensity" and not subjected to the limits described in C, Council supports the imposition of a full pre-commitment system so gamblers can set maximum loss limits.
E. Communicate Council's position to pokies venues in Manningham, the Prime Minister, the Premier of Victoria, relevant Federal and State
Ministers, local members of parliament, ALGA, MAV and VLGA.
The statistics are quite incredible - see article in links under gambling reform
Many Councils are passing motions like in Manningham (see below).
I would like to see Glen Eira also pass a similar resolution supporting reform.
The main arguement being played out seems to be not whether reforms are needed but how you do it, the most debated being the pre-committment reform which involves technology changes and the cost that goes with it.
In my view limiting the amounts that can be gambled on the machines is a better more cost-effective way to go. At present in any of our pubs/clubs there are rows of machines where you can bet upto $5 everytime one pushes the spin button which can mean every few secs. It is a very different world/scenerio to having a few bets say on yesterday's Caulfeld Cup!
I understand that for some Crs. this will be new territory and the usual 'chesnut' that its a State issue that we shouldn't be involved in will be put up or thats in some way a curtailing of 'individual rights'.
My response would be that we advocate and take a position on many State issues that affect and protect our community from grade separation to planning. This is an important social issue that we should be at least advocating for reform on.
Without a notice of motion provision (the ability for Crs to place a motion on the Council agenda), it will be quite challenging to have this issue debated and voted on!
Passed 8-1 at the Manningham council meeting held on June 28, 2011
That Council:
A. Endorses the Productivity Commission recommendation for a maximum bet limit on poker machines of $1 per ‘button push'.
B. Notes the Productivity Commission recommendation for a full pre-commitment scheme for electronic gaming machines in all States and
Territories as a "strong, practicable and ultimately cost-effective option for harm minimisation".
C. Endorses the preferred option of the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform to impose a maximum $1 bet per button push, $120 hourly loss limit and maximum prize of $500.
D. For electronic gaming machines regarded as "high intensity" and not subjected to the limits described in C, Council supports the imposition of a full pre-commitment system so gamblers can set maximum loss limits.
E. Communicate Council's position to pokies venues in Manningham, the Prime Minister, the Premier of Victoria, relevant Federal and State
Ministers, local members of parliament, ALGA, MAV and VLGA.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
