Media - Nick Xenophon - Independent Senator for South Australia

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has welcomed the decision by the ACT Labor Club to sell off its controversial poker machine venues.

The Club controls 4 venues and had an estimated 488 machines in 2008.

“I believe this is a recognition by the ACT Labor Club that no amount of revenue for the club is worth the misery caused by these machines,” Nick said.

Senator Xenophon previously challenged the ALP to get out of the pokie business in his First Speech to Parliament.

The Prime Minister has publicly stated his opposition to poker machines and his awareness of their devastating impact.

Now, ACT Labor Party branch president Bill Redpath was quoted as saying:
"Fifteen years ago people thought going to the club and putting a few dollars through the poker machines was fun."

"Now we have a different attitude and we have to be mindful of that different community attitude and as to whether that's now a concern to Labor voters, to the community generally."

“I believe this shows we are reaching a tipping point in community understanding. It’s a bit like passive smoking; people are realising the damage caused by this industry and they quite rightly want to put an end to it,” Nick said.

“I hope that other clubs around the country follow the lead of the ACT Labor Club and get rid of pokies for good. It is no longer socially acceptable for these clubs to see their members as sources of revenue regardless of the damage that is done.”