Both the Liberal and Labor parties had a “sordid” history in Tasmania of dealing with poker machines, Pat Caplice from Rein in the Pokies has told a rally.
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Mr Caplice said deals on poker machine licences had been done behind closed doors and $250 million would be given away if the Liberal Party’s policy was implemented.
“The Liberals are putting up a tender for licences but it is a faux tender,” he said.
“This election will be a referendum on fairness.”
About 150 people attended Friday’s rally in Hobart.
Academic and author Dr James Boyce told the crowd that more than $1 billion had been transferred to poker machine owners since they were introduced in Tasmania.
“This election gives Tasmania the chance to make Australian history and a chance to reclaim democracy,” Dr Boyce said.
Former head of the Australian Hotels Association, Greg James, said more jobs will be created in Tasmania if poker machines were removed from pubs and clubs.
Mr James said if a person spent $100 on a poker machine, $70 would go to the machine owners and $30 to the state government.
“If you spend that $100 in a restaurant it will create jobs in the local economy,” he said.
“The fight’s just started, we’ve got four more years to get rid of poker machines.”
Speaking before the rally, Queensland academic Professor John Mangan said governments had a responsibility to protect vulnerable people and removing pokies from pubs and clubs would see more money spent in local communities.