NSW 2021 Inner West Council Elections

I don’t believe we should have pokies on council land, and I’m strongly supportive of shifting the narrative away from problem or responsible gambling to one of gambling harm. I am strongly anti gambling and would need to look at the feasibility of your suggestions in more detail, but definitely keen to advocate against gambling and encourage venues to transition away from poker machines.

I support the following measures:
Disallow future poker machine venues on council land, and plan and support the transition away from gambling use by existing venues.
Shift to the public health narrative away from blaming individuals to refer to “gambling harm”.
Undertake an assessment of local impacts of poker machine venue applications, and commit resources to opposing those that will negatively impact the community.
Advocate to state and federal governments for legislative reform to reduce and prevent gambling harm.
Raise awareness in the local community by creating news stories around gambling harm and undertake other harm minimisation projects.
My position:
The reliance on gambling revenues to support community groups and sporting clubs (through schemes such as ClubGrants which are administered by local councils) is perpetuating an industry which profits from people’s financial hardship and harm caused by the gambling industry.
Funds to support sporting and community clubs and activities should instead be made available through progressive taxation at the state and federal level and other measures to tax corporate profits.
Ultimately, a harm minimisation strategy, combined with empowerment through education, and the strict regulation of the gambling industry (in all its nefarious forms) is needed to tackle the harm caused.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond.

Council has a strong role to play in ensuing gambling within our local government area is handled responsibly and in the interest of the community. Council can support local business such as pubs and clubs by providing them with clear and simple policy and procedure for revenue streams that do not involve gambling.

Happy to support all of them.

I support all your advocacy asks at all three levels of government. I’m opposed to any increase in poker machines in the LGA.

strongly advocate extended gambling free pool, community centres, libraries and local sporting club use for non-gambling activities hours to combat social isolation and alternatives to gambling. I back gambling-free community sport and the reduction and better controls of gambling venues. Also keen to advocate to other levels of government

I support all of the policies and advocacy actions referred to in the candidate information resources, including gambling-free public space, gambling-free community sport and the expansion of gambling in the Inner West Council.

I believe there are too many Betting Agency ads on television, although one is too many.
These ads glorify betting and denigrate the sports they are using for their benefit.
A DA for pubs should not include poker machine areas.
There should be a limit on how many Poker machines are allowed on sites, in clubs etc.
I know first hand the difficulties associated with gambling having lived through a family member and a family friend with gambling addictions.

Council Social Policy
To not hold council events or activities at gambling venues
- To not make council grants available to venues or organisations that operate EGMs
- To not allow future poker machine on Council land, and plan and support the transition away from gambling use by existing venues
- To make organisations that operate EGMs ineligible for rates discounts.
- Discarding the phrases 'responsible gambling' and 'problem gambling' from council documents and discussions. These phrases reinforce stigma by placing responsibility for gambling harm and addiction on the individual instead of on the systems and structures in place that enable gambling harm
- Shift to the public health narrative of referring to 'gambling harm'

Planning & Enforcement
- Do an assessment of local impacts of poker machine venue applications, and commit resources to opposing those that will negatively impact the community
- Maximise community awareness of and engagement with poker machine venue applications
- Adopt internal HR and operational policies that address gambling harm
- Commit to making submissions on every application lodged, even when an Local Impact Assessment is not required.

Advocacy
- Advocate to state and federal governments for legislative reform to reduce and prevent gambling harm
- Create awareness in the local community by creating news stories around gambling harm and undertake other harm minimisation projects
- Advocate to the state government to amend the EGM application process to allow councils to have a greater say

Thank you for contacting me about gambling harm. I appreciate you making time to write to me about this important issue. Our Labor Candidates for the Inner West Council are committed to reducing harm from problem gambling in our communities. We applaud the work of the Alliance for Gambling Reform and your work in addressing harm caused by problem gambling. We see a critical need for ongoing commitment in this area, at a Federal, State and Council level.

Our Inner West Council Labor candidates support:
● Advocating the state government to reduce the opening hours for poker machines.
● A more comprehensive application process for additional Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs).
● Removing gambling from advertising on council properties and spaces.

That’s why we have committed to our “Special Entertainment Precincts'' (SEP) on Enmore Road, a first for our Local Government Area (LGA). We have introduced the first SEP on Enmore Road, and announced a further commitment to expand these precincts to Darling Street in Balmain, and Marrickville Road in Marrickville. Our policy to develop more “Special Entertainment Precincts'' will allow venues to have real incentives for live music, theatre, comedy, and other cultural activities, instead of relying on poker machines. Labor is committed to protecting and investing in these venues, which will see a transition away from pokies to a more vibrant community space where creative and entertainment industries can flourish.

In addition to this, our Inner West Council Labor candidates commit to:
● Not taking donations from the gambling sector lobbyist, and
● Removing advertising of gambling in Council facilities and properties.
● Reducing gambling harm in our LGA by incentivising venues to ‘ditch the pokies’ and engage in a more vibrant entertainment industry.
● Advocating the state government to reform the sector to ensure practical solutions that affect individuals and families, particularly working class families.

We know people in NSW are concerned about the number of poker machines in their communities, and the harm that they cause. We also understand the additional issues of problem gambling, including drug and alcohol dependence and domestic and family violence – all of which need our attention and strong commitment to address. Inner West Council Labor candidates will continue advocating for industry reform to state and federal stakeholders.

The Inner West Council can play an important role in reducing the harm caused by problem gambling. The Inner West is home to 1,812 poker machines across 88 premises. That’s a staggering average of 27 poker machines at each venue. People in our community lost $152m in the period 2020-2021, which equates to a weekly loss of nearly $3k per person. We understand that reducing poker machine operating hours, removing incentives and loyalty schemes are just some of the policies for preventing harm from gambling and poker machines. That’s why we need to elect Labor Councillors who will protect their residents from gambling harm now and into the future.

Thank you again for writing to me about this important issue. If I can ever be of assistance in any Council matters, please reach out and contact me again -
Your Labor Candidates for the Inner West Council