http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2008/09/17/the-proposed-anti-pokies-laws/ The world of politics, policy and public life Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:48:39 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2008/09/17/the-proposed-anti-pokies-laws/#comment-182 Kevin Rennie Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:19:00 +0000 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/bartlett/?p=16#comment-182 Cheers! I'll keep working on it. Cheers! I’ll keep working on it.

]]> http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2008/09/17/the-proposed-anti-pokies-laws/#comment-181 Evan Beaver Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:01:00 +0000 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/bartlett/?p=16#comment-181 Thanks a lot for a look into the machinations of the senate. The popular press (where most people get their information) rarely delves into these issues. Very interesting. Thanks again. Thanks a lot for a look into the machinations of the senate. The popular press (where most people get their information) rarely delves into these issues. Very interesting. Thanks again.

]]> http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2008/09/17/the-proposed-anti-pokies-laws/#comment-180 aka daviidv Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:14:48 +0000 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/bartlett/?p=16#comment-180 Thankyou Andrew for such a clear article. The community has every reason to feel confused about what is happening to the Senator Fielding and Xenophon Pokies Harm Reduction Bills and Senate Inquiry, and what can be expected when the Senate Inquiry reports in November 2008. Your article makes all of the critical points. Above all else, to move forward, the Federal Government must, to use the analogy, accept that the frogs are now boiling alive in water that has heated slowly, and act swiftly if the frogs are to be saved. In the boiling pot is Frog 1, the State Governments that are now addicted to the taxes and blinded to the social costs which will outweigh the value of taxes collected. Frog 2, the pokies owners that are addicted to their easy profits at the expense of the community they belong to. Frog 3, the players chasing either the promise of instant riches or, possibly worse, are addicted to the morphine like pain relief from their problems provided by the 'zone' created for them by the pokies. Behind these frogs are the families and small businesses that the pokies are robbing of a financial future. The countries largest businesses, such as Woolworths and Coles are betting on the pokies easy profits continuing as both, but especially Woolworths have taken up investments in pokies via their ownership of hotels and are now substantial beneficiaries of the pokies losses. Reflecting the severity of the situation, a new website www.makepokiessafe.com has been created to centralise news and opinions on the current pokies situation and provide an easy access point for community groups to share their work, and readers to find the information. Thankyou Andrew for such a clear article. The community has every reason to feel confused about what is happening to the Senator Fielding and Xenophon Pokies Harm Reduction Bills and Senate Inquiry, and what can be expected when the Senate Inquiry reports in November 2008. Your article makes all of the critical points. Above all else, to move forward, the Federal Government must, to use the analogy, accept that the frogs are now boiling alive in water that has heated slowly, and act swiftly if the frogs are to be saved. In the boiling pot is Frog 1, the State Governments that are now addicted to the taxes and blinded to the social costs which will outweigh the value of taxes collected. Frog 2, the pokies owners that are addicted to their easy profits at the expense of the community they belong to. Frog 3, the players chasing either the promise of instant riches or, possibly worse, are addicted to the morphine like pain relief from their problems provided by the ‘zone’ created for them by the pokies. Behind these frogs are the families and small businesses that the pokies are robbing of a financial future. The countries largest businesses, such as Woolworths and Coles are betting on the pokies easy profits continuing as both, but especially Woolworths have taken up investments in pokies via their ownership of hotels and are now substantial beneficiaries of the pokies losses. Reflecting the severity of the situation, a new website http://www.makepokiessafe.com has been created to centralise news and opinions on the current pokies situation and provide an easy access point for community groups to share their work, and readers to find the information.

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