NSW 2021 Parramatta Council Elections

My main advocacy is to support gambling-free public space & not holding council events at gambling venues. City of Parramatta has great venues that aren’t based in gambling venues. Additionally, successful initiatives such as Libraries After Dark provides more than a safe space to those with gambling harm - we have a large refugee community and young people and so providing that space will help a lot of people in our community.

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 support all policies that will remove Poker Machines from Clubs and Pubs. Western Australia has banned them, their sporting clubs are thriving. NSW should bite the bullet and do the same.

Not holding Council events at gambling venues; no Council grants or rates discounts to EGM organisations and venues; no EGMs on Council land; deleting all Council references to “responsible gambling” and “problem gambling” and acknowledge “gambling harm”; supportive of planning, education and enforcement measures to reduce gambling and address gambling harm; and advocate for Council policies and where possible for NSW & Federal reforms to address all of the above.

I support gambling-free public spaces, gambling-free community sport and Council having a clear policy/ strategy on reducing gambling harm in our community.

Yes, I will if elected, seek to support as many of your positions as possible.

I recognise addiction as a chronic health condition. As a Labor candidate I believe that affordable treatment services for addiction, including gambling, are important to achieving a healthy and inclusive society.

I support the Labor Party's commitment to harm minimisation principles in the management of addiction such as financial counselling. I also support self-exclusion lists.

I understand the importance of prevention, public awareness and adequate funding for the delivery of community-based services as part of a suite of policies critical to ensuring that people can seek help quickly and in the most appropriate setting.

I support the NSW Labor Opposition's commitment to reducing gambling taxes as a proportion of State revenue.

If elected to Council I am willing to learn more about the role local government can play in advocating for reform at a state and federal government level.