REPRESENTATIVES from Narooma’s two sporting clubs were among the 500-strong crowd who converged on Braidwood on Thursday to protest proposed anti-gambling legislation.
❏ Click here to check out the photo gallery of the rally
They represented 96 pubs and clubs in the Eden-Monaro electorate, and claim many will face closure if the proposals become law.
Both the Narooma Golf Club and Narooma Sporting and Services Club sent delegations to the rally, with the latter putting on two large buses from the Symons bus company.
“Gambling addition is a sickness as is a alcoholism, if you give a drinker a licence to drink and tell them to set their own limits, it’s going to be very detrimental to them,” NSSC general manager Tony Casu said.
“So this is a pointless proposal that just won’t work.
“There needs to be mechanism where the people need it will get counselling and proper medical help. That is only way to overcome gambling addiction.”
Mr Casu and Narooma Golf Club manager Dominic Connaughton said they wanted to thank everyone who braved the treacherous conditions to get their message across to the politicians.
Confined by police to marching on the footpaths, the crowd waved banners and placards and called on Federal MP Mike Kelly to "Save our clubs" and "Save our jobs".
Tasmanian Independent Andrew Wilkie wants Prime Minister Julia Gillard to address problem gambling through legislating for reforms such as mandatory pre-commitment in exchange for his support in a nearly hung parliament.
It has sitting Labor members concerned about representing clubs and pubs in their electorates who stand to lose considerable income should mandatory pre-commitment become law. That lost income can reasonably be expected to translate into lost jobs, services and facilities.
Dr Kelly was the first Labor backbencher to speak out publicly against Mr Wilkie's poker machine reforms.
"When you tackle this subject you have to be very careful about it, and what we are talking about here is problem gambling. The issue is how do you deal with problem gambling?" he asked.
He was applauded for attending yesterday's rally but heckled when he refused to answer the question from the crowd: "Will you cross the floor?".
"There is no legislation in existence right now. So there's nothing to cross the floor over right now. I'm just telling you the truth of the matter is - there is no legislation," Dr Kelly replied.
He congratulated pubs and clubs in Eden-Monaro for having policies in place for dealing with problem gambling - "but they're willing to have discussions about what more can be done," Dr Kelly said.
Clubs NSW chairman Peter Newell echoed Dr Kelly's sentiments.
"Clubs Australia wants not one dollar from problem gamblers and wants reform that actually helps problem gamblers and where we can take meaningful steps forward," he said.
Bermagui Country Club sends up the troops
A BUS load and several of car loads of Bermagui Country Club supporters joined a crowd of around 600 others to protest proposed poker machine reforms in Braidwood last Wednesday.
The gathering was organized to show the lack of support for mandatory pre commitment whereby a punter would need to register for a “Smart Card” with a maximum daily limit to play the pokies.
“This is an attack on regional communities,” club general manager Caleb Rose said.
“We acknowledge there are problem gamblers. We just don’t think this is the right way to address the issue.”
Mr Rose said Bermagui Country Club estimates it would have to spend $780,000 just to install this “big brother” scheme.
“At least seven of our staff will lose their jobs because our club simply will not be able to afford to keep them on,” he said.
“Our club is a vibrant hub of our community. Many people use our Club as a meeting place.
“They socialise, meet with their friends to play cards, tennis, golf, bingo, bowls, croquet and darts in a safe and welcoming environment. Many of these services will be withdrawn if this proposal goes ahead.”
Clubs NSW says KPMG’s analysis estimated that 11,000 jobs will be lost in NSW clubs and this does not include the flow on effects to other industries, such as the butcher, the baker, the cleaners, taxis, food and beverage suppliers.
Most of the people at the rally have never been to a protest before. “These people are not a rent-a-crowd, nor are they professional protesters,” Mr Rose said.
“They are ordinary Australians who love their clubs. That is an indication of how much our members do not want this reform.
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