Herald Sun: Labor's gamble causes regrets [09jan06]
Former Victorian Premier Joan Kirner and her cabinet express regret at their decision to introduce gambling in the State of Victoria. She and her Labor Government provided the key and unleashed gambling in an uncontrolled and unregulated manner in the hope of reviving a dying city and the state's fortune by providing a much needed cash cow.
There were no specific planning controls covering gaming. Under the roll-out of gaming machines it was possible to establish a gaming venue without a planning permit.
If someone wanted to establish an amusement parlor with more then five pinball machines they required a planning permit but if they wanted to establish or change the local hotel or restaurant into a gambling mecca palace they could do so without any community accountability or proper planning control. All that was required was a general liquor licence and the backing of Tattersall's or the TAB. The local community or local council had no say when and under what circumstances gaming venues were established. There were limited controls related to an application for a general licence but no requirement related to the proposed use of premises for the installation and establishment of gaming machines.
Local Councils were locked-out from the process. Tattersall's and the TAB were never really held accountable and were only answerable to the Victorian Gaming Commission which was keen to support the industries growth and was removed from public eye with sessions held behind closed doors.
The Kennett government made matters worst by substantially increasing the number of gaming machines and venues without thought or consideration of the social impact and planning development of the local community. Some restrictions were voluntary imposed by Tattersall's and the TAB to protect the monopoly held by the recently established Crown Casino which dominated the city's new entertainment precinct on the banks of the Yarra river.At the time gaming machines were first being rolled-out the local Carlton community expressed concern that Lygon Street was a potential candidate for conversion from a restaurant tourist precinct to the inner city gaming mecca. Lygon street had a number of restaurants that held a General Licence and was a prime target for a quick expansion. Fortunately for Carlton at the time Tattersalls and the TAB were more interested in targeting the outer suburban localities, predominantly in the less affluent working class regions of Melbourne, and the Premier Jeff Kennett was keen to protect Crown Casino's interests and limit the number of gaming venues in the inner city area.
There were many, myself included, who thought that the roll-out should have been done in less of a rush and that the first few years should have been restricted to non-profit social sporting clubs as was the case in NSW. But Tattersall's and the TAB duopoly wanted more control and more of the profit. Kirner wanted a quick solution in the misguided belief that her government could withstand the onslaught. Tattersall's and the TAB were working the parliamentary rooms and the only ones to escape were those that lived in Melbourne's "Dry-zone" as there were no General Licenced premises for the taking.
The question we need to ask is what can we do to stem the onslaught and impact of gaming machines and provide responsible control and limits on gambling?
We need to claw back the number of licences for gaming machines currently available.
We need to give Local Councils more say and proper control under planning regulations as to the the conditions and and circumstances gaming venues are allowed to remain or expand.
Tattersalls should be broken up into two separate divisions "Gaming and Lotteries" under separate administration and control. (If you have ever had cause to deal with Tattersall's customer service then you will understand the degree of lack of responsibility and customer care provided. It is a company that is arrogant and lacking professional standards - accountable to no-one with unchallenged ability to do what they like. They can buy governments loyalty at anytime in the knowledge that they will never be seriously challenged but of the sake of appearance endure the occasional tongue lashing.)
The Gaming commission should be merged with the Liquor Licensing commission so as to improve in the accountability and coordination between gaming and licenced venues with local Councils having more of a say in any application for a gaming/liquor licence.
Any future Gaming licences should be limited to sporting and social clubs only.
Electronic Gaming Card
We need to introduce an electronic "Gaming Card" were payment for the use of gaming machines would be limited to special electronic gaming cards only. With strict limits applying to the amount of money that can be spent by any one individual within a certain period. Similar to the limits that banks apply to credit card expenditure.
Electronic gaming cards should never provide credit and be subject to strict controls related to membership and use. An application for membership would be open to all Australian citizens and permanent residents who would be required to produce suitable identification in the form of a valid drivers licence or passport. Overseas and interstate tourists and visitors could purchase short term membership cards at a predetermined value and would also be required to provide valid identification.
The introduction of electronic gaming cards would allow more effective control and monitoring of money laundering and criminal activity.
A person would be entitled to hold only one card and all deposits and withdrawals must be via electronic bank transfer only.
An application could be made to the courts for a person to be denied access or further restriction to their right to hold a electronic gaming card.
The gaming card could be used to buy food, drink and other services provided by the authorised gaming establishment venue only.
game on...
Anthony van der Craats
4 comments:
Moaning Joan, all care no responsibility.
You say " The Kennett government made matters worst by substantially increasing the number of gaming machines..."
What utter garbage. You are either being disingenuous or you are displaying all the traits of an outright ignorant cunt? Which is it?
How about you check your facts before allowing your obvious political bias and hatred of the Liberal Party to cloud your memory of what really transpired when Kirner and her incompetent band of fools introduced gaming machines?
If you are at all interested in the FACTS of the matter, respond to my contribution. I'm more than happy to wake you from your slumber of ignorance and furnish you with something other than the complete fantasy you have tried to pass off as gospel.
Why do sad leftys always try to re-write history? Is it because they can't handle the truth? I think so.
Oh and by the way, Kirner SHOULD hang her very ordinary head in shame. She obviously has no idea at the negative impact gaming machines have had in the 'burbs as a direct result of her Governments policy of "mass rollout" to pubs and clubs.
For her to say that if she had her time again the one thing she wouldn't allow is an ATM at Crown is yet another example of the silly bitch being way out of touch.
As if an ATM at the Casino is the big issue re problem gamblers? What a moron she has always been. How the hell did she ever ascend to the leadership? No doubt about the ALP is there - mediocrity rules, no exception.
vicparl I am happy to respond.
I am not the one who is trying to rewrite history. Certainly the way gaming machines were introduced in Victoria was an absolute disaster and benefited no one but the government coffers, the TAB and Tattersall's.
The Kennett government could not have had it better(sic). The ground had been plowed by Kirner and he planted the crop.
The decision to build Crown Casino were it is today was one of the biggest planning mistakes in Melbourne's history.
It took dominate poll position on the banks of the city. Forcing the relocation of the State Museum to the outskirts of the city to the Carlton Gardens where it is suffering a slow death.
Evan Walker, one off Melbourne's best ministers and planners stated long ago that the Casino and Melbourne's Exhibition new centre commonly referred to as "Jeffs Shed" should have been situated in the dockland precinct on the north bank adjacent to the Melbourne convention centre. It would have allowed the casino to create and exhibition centre to establish its own precinct, design and character.
Ron Walker and Crown wanted prime location on the banks of the Yarra river dominating Melbourne's Arts precinct and shifting it more to a sleazy entertainment precinct.
Instead of a area suitable for family activities with the museum located adjacent to the Polly woodside we have this mega palace to gambling and adult entertainment. No longer are families welcomed to the city centre.
What ever Ron Walker wanted Ron got. Planning went right out the window and Melbourne lost out big time.
The fact is that Jeff Kennett expanded on the number of gaming machines in Victoria big time and the biggest losers were those in the western suburbs were the number of poker machines increased the most.
Did Jeff review Melbourne's Dry Zone and locate poker machine venues in the Liberal held electorate around Canterbury?
Jeff Kennett had an opportunity and blew it. Yes Victoria was in need of reform but he was selective in what he set his priorities on and failed to deliver, much was left undone.
His major projects and urban planning were a complete disaster and lost opportunity.
Having decided to bump the museum from its location next to Polly he should have located and incorporated the Museum into an expanded design of Federation Square. It would have made an overall positive contribution to Melbourne guaranteeing the success of the project and at a direct saving of around 300 Million dollars.
But Jeff was not prepared to rethink his earlier decision or listen to the advice of the broader community. One reason why he lost office and was not re-elected in 1999.
Whilst I am critical of Joan Kirner's achievements I am not going interested in allowing history to be misrepresented into thinking that Jeff Kennett was the ants pants and best thing for Melbourne since crown casino. He was not... Far from it opportunity lost bordering on corruption.
Your comments are welcomed but please refrain from offensive abuse and vulgarity
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