NSW 2021 Newcastle Council Elections

I support the asks for gambling free public space and gambling free community sport. I support measures to stop the expansion of gambling in our suburbs & towns, and I would welcome the assistance to develop an implementation plan to achieve this.

I support the following measures:
To not allow 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 of referring to 'gambling harm';
Do 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; and
Create 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 off the 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 that target 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.
Thankyou for the opportunity to respond.

I'd like to see council become much more vocal about the harm that gambling and poker machines cause in our city. I'm particularly interested in your ideas about having free places to socialise like libraries in the evening. I think this is a proactive approach that I could propose if elected to council. Because we manage many of the ovals, I feel certain we would be able to remove any gambling that might be happening in community sport.

I am a strong believer in doing all that is necessary to eliminate gambling and alcohol in the community which serve no useful purpose other than the negative purpose of undermining society.

I am in full support of the Alliance for Gambling Reform Policies. In line with a reduction to poker machines in venues and reduced operation hours I am firmly opposed to the advertising that entices gambling behaviour and is proven to be tearing families apart across this country. The AJP is also working hard to end the Greyhound and Horse Racing industries, apart from the horrific cruelty, our Governments are doing little to curb the terrible impact that these industries are having on families. Many of these industries are in fact beyond reform and we need urgent attention to transition workers away from these industries. You will have my full support at a local government level.

I support all actions that local councils can take to reduce gambling harm in their LGAs.

I support both banning gambling ads and stronger regulatory powers for Councils. I also support stronger restrictions on poker machine rooms and access hours, and on a larger scale want to see action done to combat the growing gambling app crisis.