“We stand by the policy that we took to the election, the unfortunate reality is that the Liberal government won,” Ms White said. 

“We haven’t abandoned the people who raised this as a really important issue.”

Following the Labor’s defeat in the March 2018 election, Ms White said the party would continue to pursue its election promise to ban poker machines in pubs and clubs from 2023, however on Friday Ms White said Labor would no longer be able to pursue this election policy because the Liberal government was planning to introduce legislation to renew operator license deeds in this term. 

“The statements that I have made are just a reflection of the environment that we are in,” Ms White said. 

“From opposition, we are unable to implement our policies, whether it be addressing the housing crisis or what’s happening in our health system, what’s happening with pokies, or what’s happening with jobs right across our economy.”

Ms White said the Liberal policy is to extent the license for 20 years and to change the arrangements of poker machine operators. 

“We will see when they present legislation to the house what that looks like,” Ms White said. 

“We will hold our government to account. We will scrutinise the legislation when it comes forward and we will always put the welfare of vulnerable people first.”

Premier Will Hodgman said Ms White’s statement that Labor wish to negotiate on the operator licenses, going against a hallmark aspect of their election campaign, makes him question what Ms White stands for. 

“This is a major policy shift and any parliamentarian, in any role they have, should be able to explain the reasons for their policies,” Mr Hodgman said. 

“Certainly when they change them as dramatically as this, and when you’re the leader of the alternative government, what else is now open for negotiation? What else might they sell away? 

“If they are now seriously saying they want to work with us on a policy to ensure the right balance for industry, and to also support those in the community affected by gambling, then perhaps I would believe it when I see it.”