The former community sector leader and anti-poker machine campaigner was elected after a tight three-way contest for the seat last month.

Ms Webb put to Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch - who oversees initiatives aimed at those with gambling issues - that the increased level of support in the budget meant the government was either expecting more need due to its shift to an individual licencing scheme, or the current level was inadequate.

Under the government's proposed scheme, it would be collecting more revenue and a higher community support levy, Ms Webb said. "What magnitude of increase in harm is expected to occur under the individual licencing model that your government proposes?"

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Mr Jaensch said the government was boosting its capacity to respond to a "full range" of gambling addiction, not just poker machines. The decline in community support levy receipts suggested a change in activity levels or a transfer to other forms of gambling, he suggested.

"That's not remotely indicated by that decrease in figures ... decrease in losses doesn't indicate a decrease in harm," Ms Webb said, disputing both points. "You're increasing your resources to harm minimisation."

[Tasmanian Government dispels claims of $250 million 'free gift' to gaming industry]

"Either that's in response to an expected increase in the level of harm under your new policy, or it's an indication that the current levels of support being provided are not sufficient."

She noted other states running similar schemes were seeing higher levels of harm than Tasmania, before reading a list of statistics - not disputed by the minister - around poker machine regulation within the state and country.

"Do you accept minister then, that Australia and Tasmania is aberrant globally in its regulation of poker machines?"

"I don't have an opinion on the aberrant-ness or other wise of our regulation of poker machines," Mr Jaensch replied. Asked if he regarded poker machines to be a "dangerous product", Mr Jaensch said: "They can be dangerous to some people".

Both Ms Webb and Independent Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest then asked if modelling had been undertaken into any change in the level of harm caused by the proposed licencing changes.

[Tasmanian Labor ditches controversial pokies ban]

Mr Jaensch said he was not familiar with modelling or changes in modelling, and said the question would be better asked of Treasurer Peter Gutwein.

Speaking to media later on Thursday, Labor's ... Ella Haddad said their policy continued to be focused on harm minimisation and would work alongside industry around issues.

"We're headed for a state conference later in this year, in August, where rank and file branches of the Labor Party - as they do every year - have the ability to direct policy of the party and that's what we're looking forward to happening in August this year," Ms Haddad said.

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