Australian Politics thread [merged]

[tiger101]

I seen in the latest poll opposition to the tax has jumped six percentage points to 59 per cent, while support for the tax has fallen four points to 32 per cent.

Seem's like majority of the population don't agree with this tax.

[1965]

Tony A is either an absolute fool or he is playing more games with the truth.

Of course it won't fix problem gamblers but it will help minimise the impact of problem gamblers.

Is there no end to the lies and mis-truths that this man will say just to get power.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/tony-abbott-should-think-of-pokies-social-harm/story-e6frf7jx-1226177019415

Tony Abbott should think of pokies' social harm
From: AAP October 26, 2011 10:37AM

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott needs to think about the social consequences of problem gambling, says Employment Minister Chris Evans.
Mr Abbott has told a forum of more than 1000 club supporters that he will scrap Labor's proposed poker machine reforms.

Speaking to the packed rally at Campbelltown RSL, southwest of Sydney, last night, Mr Abbott said mandatory limits on pokie machines would not "fix'' problem gamblers.

[tiga]

Tony A is either an absolute fool or he is playing more games with the truth.

Of course it won't fix problem gamblers but it will help minimise the impact of problem gamblers.

Is there no end to the lies and mis-truths that this man will say just to get power.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/tony-abbott-should-think-of-pokies-social-harm/story-e6frf7jx-1226177019415

Tony Abbott should think of pokies' social harm
From: AAP October 26, 2011 10:37AM

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott needs to think about the social consequences of problem gambling, says Employment Minister Chris Evans.
Mr Abbott has told a forum of more than 1000 club supporters that he will scrap Labor's proposed poker machine reforms.

Speaking to the packed rally at Campbelltown RSL, southwest of Sydney, last night, Mr Abbott said mandatory limits on pokie machines would not "fix'' problem gamblers.

OMG...   Heck I'll bite.  "Oh Okay, I'm a problem gambler and I choose to impose a $10,000 mandatory pre-commitment upon myself even though I only earn 500 a week. There! problem solved! And if I blow all my dough the goverment will look at my stats and go...." "hey He's only spending 500 a week on gambling yet he's budgeted for 10 gorilla's!! Well done Joe public, you no longer have a gabling problem and this reform has been proven to be an absolute success!"    65 you know as well as I do that the only reason why this ridiculous reform is going through is that Wilkie threatened to pull his support for the current government if it doesn't go through.  For all those problem gamblers that find this too hard, they will just end up going online or the TAB or on-track.
 

[1965]

OMG...   Heck I'll bite.  "Oh Okay, I'm a problem gambler and I choose to impose a $10,000 mandatory pre-commitment upon myself even though I only earn 500 a week. There! problem solved! And if I blow all my dough the goverment will look at my stats and go...." "hey He's only spending 500 a week on gambling yet he's budgeted for 10 gorilla's!! Well done Joe public, you no longer have a gabling problem and this reform has been proven to be an absolute success!"    65 you know as well as I do that the only reason why this ridiculous reform  is going through is that Wilkie threatened to pull his support for the current government if it doesn't go through. For all those problem gamblers that find this too hard, they will just end up going online or the TAB or on-track.
 

This "ridiculous reform" was recommended by the productivity commission.

and I quote:

The Productivity Commission is the Australian Government's independent research and advisory body on a range of economic, social and environmental issues affecting the welfare of Australians.

Its role, expressed simply, is to help governments make better policies in the long term interest of the Australian community.

[tiger101]

OMG...   Heck I'll bite.  "Oh Okay, I'm a problem gambler and I choose to impose a $10,000 mandatory pre-commitment upon myself even though I only earn 500 a week. There! problem solved! And if I blow all my dough the goverment will look at my stats and go...." "hey He's only spending 500 a week on gambling yet he's budgeted for 10 gorilla's!! Well done Joe public, you no longer have a gabling problem and this reform has been proven to be an absolute success!"    65 you know as well as I do that the only reason why this ridiculous reform is going through is that Wilkie threatened to pull his support for the current government if it doesn't go through.  For all those problem gamblers that find this too hard, they will just end up going online or the TAB or on-track.
 

I think we should do more to help gambling addicts but you cant push mandates onto them at casino's because they'll just stay home and gamble over the net where they might not be able to find the help they need to tackle there addiction.

[WilliamPowell]

I actually agree with Abbott  on the point that the reform will not "fix" the gambling problem.

Reality is this "reform" wont solve the problem, the individual has to want to fix the problem.

Just like any other addict

And if a gambling addict really wants to gamble they will find a way to do it reform legislation or no reform legislation ... sad? Yep but fact

[tiga]

I actually agree with Abbott  on the point that the reform will not "fix" the gambling problem.

Reality is this "reform" wont solve the problem, the individual has to want to fix the problem.

Just like any other addict

And if a gambling addict really wants to gamble they will find a way to do it reform legislation or no reform legislation ... sad? Yep but fact

Hear here WP, Hear here 

[mightytiges]

Is Tony going to actually recind the pokies law or is he only going to predict he will  .

[tiga]

Is Tony going to actually recind the pokies law or is he only going to predict he will  .

I think Julia and swan have proven that outright lying to the general population about policy is political suicide, so it looks like Abbot has decided to go "grey" on this one.  Nothing like having a backdoor that doesn't squeak.   

[tiger101]

Is Tony going to actually recind the pokies law or is he only going to predict he will  .

From what Windsor and Oakeshott have said they might not pass it. So Abbott could be just saying all this to put more heat on Gillard in caucus because there's NSW ALP MP's that don't support this policy either.

[1965]

tiga, tiger101

A simple question and a slighter harder one.

1. Do you think we as a society have a gamling problem?

2. What in your humble opinion is the solution?

'65

[tiger101]

tiga, tiger101

A simple question and a slighter harder one.

1. Do you think we as a society have a gamling problem?

2. What in your humble opinion is the solution?

'65

I think we do have an issue with Gambling addicts in society.
The only solution to helping addicts is to have people around them that can offer help and be there when addicts reach out.
Pushing people onto the internet to gamble doesn't do this.
Proof is like drug addicts. Drugs are illegal but it doesnt stop them from using them. So why would mandating pokie loses stop people gambling large amounts on the internet or at the race track.

[1965]

tiga, tiger101

A simple question and a slighter harder one.

1. Do you think we as a society have a gamling problem?

2. What in your humble opinion is the solution?

'65

I think we do have an issue with Gambling addicts in society.
The only solution to helping addicts is to have people around them that can offer help and be there when addicts reach out.
Pushing people onto the internet to gamble doesn't do this.
Proof is like drug addicts. Drugs are illegal but it doesnt stop them from using them. So why would mandating pokie loses stop people gambling large amounts on the internet or at the race track.

But will it do any harm?

The clubs think it will. They are worried about the million dollar profits being eroded.

I think the maxium $1 bet concept is worth considering.

Might be a better solution, maybe?

 

[tiga]

65 to answer your questions,

1. Yes I do believe we have a gambling problem. I have seen it first hand in a family member who is no longer with us.

2. A solution?  I like the AA system with sponsors. We need to let them know that there is support out there and if this support comes from people who have been there and are coming out the other side, I believe it would make a much bigger difference than imposing restrictions on one particular medium of gambling.
The clubs will be affected by the proposed policy. They are not just gambling dens. Clubs are a great place for people to socialise and have a cheap meal or maybe a game of snooker or darts. For some people in remote communities, the local club is all they have and the only place where they can go out for the night and still have change from a $50 note. 
As Tiger101 said, hard core gamblers will move off to other forms of unrestricted gambling which provide zero towards the community unlike clubs who really do make a positive difference to some peoples lives.
FWIW, the family member I mentioned very rarely played the pokies. I'll leave it at that for the moment.

[1965]

65 to answer your questions,

1. Yes I do believe we have a gambling problem. I have seen it first hand in a family member who is no longer with us.

2. A solution?  I like the AA system with sponsors. We need to let them know that there is support out there and if this support comes from people who have been there and are coming out the other side, I believe it would make a much bigger difference than imposing restrictions on one particular medium of gambling.
The clubs will be affected by the proposed policy. They are not just gambling dens. Clubs are a great place for people to socialise and have a cheap meal or maybe a game of snooker or darts. For some people in remote communities, the local club is all they have and the only place where they can go out for the night and still have change from a $50 note. 
As Tiger101 said, hard core gamblers will move off to other forms of unrestricted gambling which provide zero towards the community unlike clubs who really do make a positive difference to some peoples lives.
FWIW, the family member I mentioned very rarely played the pokies. I'll leave it at that for the moment.

All paid for by preying on the problem gamblers of society. The people who lose all of their money are subsidising your cheap meals.

Can't you see that?

'65