Uncertainty surrounding Labor's position on the government's poker machine harm minimisation scheme remains after the party continued to make few comments on the matter on Wednesday.
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This week it became clear that Labor has no clear and definite party line on the matter after Bass MP Janie Finlay was unable to answer questions concerning the betting limit scheme.
Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said Labor's deafening silence on the matter was caused by the party bowing down to the hospitality industry.
"We need to know and Tasmanians need to know whether the Labor party is prioritising harm minimisation and the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians, or whether it is prioritising the industry," Ms O'Connor said.
"They signed an Memorandum of Understanding with the industry that requires the Labor party to consult with industry and get approval before they support any harm minimisation measures," she said.
"So what is happening? Are they in talks with the Hospitality Industry Association and Steve Old to determine their position? It sure looks and feels like it."
Ms O'Connor said Labor went to the state election in 2018 vowing to remove poker machines.
"Now they won't even commit to harm minimisation measures which are nation building and which we know save lives and livelihoods."
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When repeatedly asked on the matter, Tasmanian Labor's Anita Dow said Labor had always advocated for improvements to harm minimisation.
"We want to understand the details. Often the devil is in the details. We want to understand how the government is going to implement this new policy," Ms Dow said.
"We want to take some time to look at the announcement that was made last week."
The state government's scheme, to begin in December 2024, would require people who used poker machines to set spending limits on their gambling with a pre-commitment cards.
The limits are $100 a day, $500 a month and $5000 a week.
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