THE Tasmanian Greens are urging the state government to abandon any plans to extend a ''destructive mates deal'' enshrining the Federal Group's monopoly grip on the state's casinos and poker machines. Greens leader Cassy O'Connor claimed the pokies deal had come at the cost of a high-roller's room at the Museum of Old and New Art, after MONA owner David Walsh pulled the pin on plans to open an an on-site casino. The government was considering extending the Federal Group's exclusive licence to operate Tasmanian casinos and poker machines past 2023, as a trade off allowing MONA's boutique casino to go ahead. However, Mr Walsh has taken his application off the table, saying he could not be party to any deal that promoted or enhanced poker machines. Treasurer Peter Gutwein yesterday confirmed both proposals had been withdrawn. Mr Gutwein said the government would not rush to review the Federal Group's deal. "With the MONA casino proposal being withdrawn, the government will now responsibly and sensibly take its time to consider its options regarding the long term licensing of casinos, EGMs and Keno in Tasmania," Mr Gutwein said. "It's perfectly plain that there are many views on this matter, the issues are complex and the government will do this in a considered way." Ms O'Connor said the government should take any proposal to lengthen the Federal Group's monopoly deed to voters at the next election. She argued the Treasurer could still pave the way for the MONA casino in the interim, but was marching to Federal's tune. ''They could bring in an amendment to the Gaming Control Act that specifically deals with the exclusivity clause and enable MONA to establish its high-roller's casino,'' she said. Mr Walsh said he still planned to develop the casino building without a licence, in the hope of gaining a license in the future.
THE Tasmanian Greens are urging the state government to abandon any plans to extend a ''destructive mates deal'' enshrining the Federal Group's monopoly grip on the state's casinos and poker machines.
Greens leader Cassy O'Connor claimed the pokies deal had come at the cost of a high-roller's room at the Museum of Old and New Art, after MONA owner David Walsh pulled the pin on plans to open an an on-site casino.
The government was considering extending the Federal Group's exclusive licence to operate Tasmanian casinos and poker machines past 2023, as a trade off allowing MONA's boutique casino to go ahead.
However, Mr Walsh has taken his application off the table, saying he could not be party to any deal that promoted or enhanced poker machines.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein yesterday confirmed both proposals had been withdrawn.
Mr Gutwein said the government would not rush to review the Federal Group's deal.
"With the MONA casino proposal being withdrawn, the government will now responsibly and sensibly take its time to consider its options regarding the long term licensing of casinos, EGMs and Keno in Tasmania," Mr Gutwein said.
"It's perfectly plain that there are many views on this matter, the issues are complex and the government will do this in a considered way."
Ms O'Connor said the government should take any proposal to lengthen the Federal Group's monopoly deed to voters at the next election.
She argued the Treasurer could still pave the way for the MONA casino in the interim, but was marching to Federal's tune.
''They could bring in an amendment to the Gaming Control Act that specifically deals with the exclusivity clause and enable MONA to establish its high-roller's casino,'' she said.
Mr Walsh said he still planned to develop the casino building without a licence, in the hope of gaining a license in the future.
