Tasmania’s Former Finance Minister Criticizes Industry Lobby

Former Tasmanian finance minister Michael Ferguson has openly criticized the Tasmanian Hospitality Association’s (THA) lobbying efforts against the proposed mandatory pre-commitment card for gaming machines. Ferguson, who introduced the reform in 2022, argues that the THA’s campaign misrepresents the impact of this proposal on the hospitality industry, even as it pressures Tasmanian politicians to back down. The proposal, designed to limit losses from poker machines, faces mounting opposition from a powerful pokies industry intent on influencing state policy.

Tasmanian Gaming Reforms Under Siege by Industry Lobby

Ferguson’s mandatory pre-commitment proposal aims to curb gambling-related harm by limiting losses on electronic gaming machines to AU$100 per day, AU$500 per month, and AU$5,000 per year. The policy is viewed as a significant step toward responsible gambling. However, the THA has voiced strong opposition, claiming the reform could lead to the closure of up to half of Tasmania’s poker machine venues, an assertion Ferguson argues distorts the true effects.

Key Points:

• Former Finance Minister Michael Ferguson condemns the Tasmanian Hospitality Association’s lobbying efforts.
• The mandatory pre-commitment card proposal intends to restrict gambling losses, but the THA claims it could lead to extensive venue closures.
• Independent legislators Rosalie Woodruff and Meg Webb support Ferguson’s stance, urging transparency on pokies revenue data.

The former finance minister highlights recent data showing growth in Tasmania’s hospitality sector, countering the THA’s warnings about potential financial harm. Ferguson’s stance is backed by independent legislators such as Rosalie Woodruff MP from the Greens and Meg Webb from the Legislative Council, who both accuse the pokies industry of exerting undue influence over both Liberal and Labor politicians.

Political Pushback and Industry Influence

Rosalie Woodruff MP emphasizes the pokies lobby’s influence on both major parties, stating, “The pokies lobby has both Liberal and Labor under their thumb.” She praises Ferguson’s decision to speak out, interpreting it as a bold acknowledgment of the pokies industry’s impact on government policy.

Woodruff added, “For a man who’s never put a foot across the party line, Ferguson’s stance against his party’s retreat on pre-commitment cards is extraordinary. He’s exposing how sectional interests are working to undo vital reforms.”

Similarly, Meg Webb called on the government to release pokies revenue data to shed light on the real impact of gambling in the state. Webb stated, “Michael Ferguson has exposed the pressure that the pokies industry applies to shape public policy in its favor. This confirms why I’ve requested monthly profit data for licenced venues since the mid-2023 law changes.”

Independent Review and Broader Implications

To evaluate the pre-commitment proposal’s impact, the Tasmanian government has engaged Deloitte to conduct an independent review. The findings, expected to offer insight into how the reform might affect Tasmania’s hospitality sector, will be critical in determining the future of the state’s gaming laws.

In light of the intensifying debate, Webb and other advocates for reform continue to call for transparency and evidence-based policymaking. They argue that only with full access to pokies revenue data and unbiased analysis can the government ensure that reforms serve the broader public interest over industry profits.

As Tasmania navigates the challenges of gaming machine reform, former finance minister Michael Ferguson’s public stance sheds light on the powerful influence of industry lobbying. With state politicians under pressure from the pokies lobby, the debate over responsible gambling measures remains deeply polarized. As Tasmania awaits Deloitte’s independent review, the state’s politicians are faced with a choice: to prioritize public health and transparent governance or to yield to the interests of a powerful industry.