Arabic version: أمين خزانة تسمانيا يدافع عن إصلاحات معدّلة لأجهزة القمار الإلكترونية

According to ABC News, Tasmania Treasurer Eric Abetz has defended the state government’s revised poker machine harm-minimisation package during an upper house inquiry. The government had previously committed to a mandatory pre-commitment card that would cap losses at $100 a day or $5,000 a year, but dropped that proposal in favour of other measures.

The proposed package includes a “ticket in, ticket out” system, facial recognition technology to identify people on the self-exclusion list, and limits on ATM withdrawals. The government says the cashless card has been “parked” until there is a national approach led by other states and territories.

Mr Abetz told the committee the reforms should be judged against the current system, rather than against the former card-based proposal. He said operational complexities, including the need to create a centralised banking system, would have delayed the card’s implementation and significantly increased costs. He said comparing the new measures with the existing system showed “substantial improvements”.

Anti-gambling advocates criticised the policy change. Mark Kempster of the Alliance for Gambling Reform urged the government to reinstate the cashless-card plans, calling it “cowardly” to wait for other jurisdictions. Anglicare Tasmania chief executive Dr Chris Jones said that, even when considered together, the proposed measures would have a “minuscule” impact.

Mr Abetz said even minimal improvements represented positive change and rejected claims the package was developed at the hospitality industry’s request. He confirmed consultation with Hospitality Tasmania, saying the government did not want disruption that could prejudice business viability. He also acknowledged that the Liquor and Gaming Commission could have been consulted more before the policies went to cabinet, after the commission expressed concern the measures would “take Tasmania backwards”.