Surf Coast Shire Council Candidate Responses - Alliance for Gambling Reform

Surf Coast Shire Council Candidate Responses

Candidate Responses

First Name
Last Name
Ward
Do you support reducing the opening hours of poker machine venues?
Do you support local governments having greater say on the granting or refusing applications for poker machines in their respective communities?

Do you support the banning of all sports gambling ads?

Will you pledge to not take any donations from venues or organisations that derive income from gambling interests?

Will you commit to reducing gambling harm in your LGA?




 

Which of the policies
referred to in our
Candidate Information Pack
do you support?
What is your position on poker machine policy?
Mike Bodsworth Anglesea ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ All of them. I am not yet aware of the severity of harm or specific issues in this LGA, so would need to find out more as a first step.
I support the poker machine policies listed in the fact sheet. 
Tony Revell Anglesea ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅ Whilst I have a strong personal dislike for poker machines, I respect the rights of individuals to make lifestyle choices up to a point. In relation to gambling harm, there should be stronger control over advertising and, in relation to poker machines specifically, betting limits should be significantly reduced and venue operating hours  reduced to minimise harm. 
Kate Gazzard Torquay ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ I support all the Alliance for Gambling Reform policies. Gambling is a signficant public health issue, and as a doctor and a candidate for local council I want to work to reduce the harm from gambling. Locally we should ban gambling ads, reducing gambling opening hours, ban inducement and loyalty schemes and support gambling-free public spaces and community sports. The gambling industry is corrupt and benefits from vulnerable individuals who suffer from addiction - it is our responsibility as a community to protect people from harm.
Kirsty Metcalf Winchelsea ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ I support all of the policies presented, with particular attention to discarding the language used that reinforces stigma and shame upon the individual. I advocate for language to be directly targeted at the systems and structures promoting gambling to expose their participation in gambling addiction. Language is key to undoing the spell so often seen deeply embedded within the cycle of addiction.