Footy Tax?? (Pokies reform)

[Bully]

On this topic about Andrew Wilkie on his pokie reforms?

The PM has a very long week coming up.....what does she do, go with this independent and have the AFL and NRL on her like a tone of bricks, and have those footy codes lose all this money and destroy their codes as they say, or go with what the AFL and NRL are saying... and Andrew drops his support for the government??


Maybe its or might be a good idea that Julia maybe behind the scenes is wanting Kevin Rudd to take over again as its not a very good time for her over this now and the asylum seekers ? Wouldnt she be better wanting Rudd to take over so these issues are not her problem anymore that she cant resolve??

tough week for PM coming up

[Psyber]

I must admit some sympathy with Wilkie on this one.
I've seen so many people who were injured and depressed get compo payments and then be supplied with free booze and pointed at he Pokies till it is all gone.
I even sent several of them to Nick Xenophon before he decided to stand for Parliament on an anti-pokies agenda.

Perhaps the problem is hotels having them and in big numbers.
If each sporting club had a few low level ones for members use only less family hardship may result - though it would need policing.
I also note Woolworth are now big in Pokies through subsidiaries, and I'm not happy with that as a Woolworths shareholder..
(Note to self - must go to next AGM.)

[Dirko]

The thing is you take away pokies, and they'll just find something else to blow the money....

[Gozu]

Yawn another scare campaign, WA seems to get by without them and it's not about getting rid of pokies but curbing the losses of the problem gamblers. My brother is centre-right on most things, loves playing his pokies and despite working in the industry even says this is a good policy.

[Bully]

it is sad that the major footy codes are relying on pokies to make money tho.

[Sojourner]

it is sad that the major footy codes are relying on pokies to make money tho.

Think that is the problem right there, our State Government is likewise addicted to the revnue from it as well.

Of all the ALP affiliated independants Wilkie is someone I have plenty of time for, he was honest and open about who he would back from day one and his Poker Machine reforms are needed in our nation. What people dont spend on Pokies they will soon put back into retail which is where a large portion of the funds came from in the first place.

I have a gut feeling that Wilkie is pushing so hard on this issue because he believes this government wont go the full three years, yet unlike the other independants, I think he will be voted back in fairly easilly on the strength of what he has already done for his local constituants, I for one would not mind the Feds picking up the tab to rebuild the RAH or a new one!

[Bully]

it is sad that the major footy codes are relying on pokies to make money tho.

Think that is the problem right there, our State Government is likewise addicted to the revnue from it as well.

Of all the ALP affiliated independants Wilkie is someone I have plenty of time for, he was honest and open about who he would back from day one and his Poker Machine reforms are needed in our nation. What people dont spend on Pokies they will soon put back into retail which is where a large portion of the funds came from in the first place.

I have a gut feeling that Wilkie is pushing so hard on this issue because he believes this government wont go the full three years, yet unlike the other independants, I think he will be voted back in fairly easilly on the strength of what he has already done for his local constituants, I for one would not mind the Feds picking up the tab to rebuild the RAH or a new one!

agreed.

[Sky Pilot]

My annual poker machine budget is $5. I have $4 carried over from last year so am looking forward to blowing the full nine bucks at the very next opportunity. If someone else wants to invest $1000 per week that is their business until such time as it inpinges on their ability to sustain a proper life and support for their family. Then I think the government should step in.
The argument being put up by the AFL and the NRL that this is a tax on footy is plainly stupid and is being aimed at stupid people. All power to Julia in this instance I reckon.

[mick]

I despise pokies, boring mindless crap. It is a tragedy so many of (all) our SANFL clubs depend on these evil things for survival, but I agree with the reforms, even if this becomes law, subsequent governments will be under enormous pressure to repeal the reforms.

[Psyber]

Pokies apply all the conditioning principles of Skinner's experiments and are designed to train people to keep pulling the levers or pushing the buttons.
They reinforce any reward seeking behaviour.

When you add free booze used to keep those blowing their money, big time, dis-inhibited you have cold blooded exploitation, not fun.
I recall one man who lost his entire $200K WorkCover payout in 6 months due to that - and he hadn't been a gambler or heavy drinker before his injury and depression.
(His wife saved the house by threatening to divorce him and sue for it if he didn't sign it over to her so he couldn't lose it.)

[Sojourner]

What does concern me is the sheer number of Pokies venues owned by Coles and Woolworths, they hardly need any help to make record profits to their shareholders, groups like them should not get to own Poker machine venues over community clubs IMO.

[Psyber]

What does concern me is the sheer number of Pokies venues owned by Coles and Woolworths, they hardly need any help to make record profits to their shareholders, groups like them should not get to own Poker machine venues over community clubs IMO.

Unfortunately, as a shareholder in both, I don't get much of it - which I guess makes it less of an ethical dilemma.
The profits nearly all seem to go to executives, and cash in the bank is paying me a better rate than most of my shares.

Otherwise I agree with you.

[Bully]

considering i work for one of the supermarket chians that you mentioned i also believe they/them have their finger in the pie for to many things.

One chain has been doing car insurance for a while now, not sure on the other, next it will be car yards .

but on the topic, i dont play pokies myself as you are pooring your moeny down the drain , i only buy lotto tickets and scratchies to try and win.

[redden whites]

"Footy tax"........ give me a break

[Bully]

thats what its being called, a footy tax as the footy codes are complaining about losing all this money if these reforms come in for the pokies

[Sojourner]

How are they actually losing money? People will still be playing the pokies and losing there money in the just the same irrespective of what "limits" they set?

[Bully]

How are they actually losing money? People will still be playing the pokies and losing there money in the just the same irrespective of what "limits" they set?

think its they will reduce the amount you can play like take away the dollar machines and have 5 cent machines, where you play the same time and not lose the same amount. maybe reduce the amount of time on each machine, the machine spits out a certain amount at a certain time to prevent you losing more money if on a loss.


open at certain times and close at certain times. you only put money on a pokie card maybe and this has a limit of 200 dollars a day maybe etc etc...i dont know

[Bully]

hmmmm....julia strikes again. Gets safety in the house, and then doesnt go through with another promise when she was elected.

now only a matter of time before the election is called and the end of her lies and broken promises

[Dutchy]

But all politicians lie so that makes is OK

[Bully]

someone who says - i would be the full forward for the western bulldogs before i became prime minister and was given support by an independant who then allowed labor to form government, then she is doing it more so then most