For better or worse, Labor has won by a landslide in Victoria. I feel that we need to work with the party, not against it, to achieve any reform. We need to find friendly contacts within the party and the wider Labor movement who will push our agenda. I met a lot of their activists on the campaign trail. I'm heartened to hear that many of them dislike pokies as much as I do, but now it's time for them to start putting those words into action! I'm getting the ball rolling by writing to my union, the AEU (Australian Education Union.) Here's my letter:
"------ Street
Preston
Vic
3072
Preston
Vic
3072
3rd December 2018
Dear Ms Pearce & AEU Victoria,
I’m a casual relief teacher and a member of the AEU. I mainly work in the public sector. I received your petition asking me to vote Labor in the recent election; to put education first and to put the Liberals last. I happily acceded to the latter request. However, despite Labor’s strong commitment to public education, I have become a lapsed supporter of the party. I cannot vote for a government that continues to allow the proliferation of poker machines in our state.
Over the last financial year, Victoria lost $3.2 billion to pokies. Our residents lose the equivalent of $7,149,397 every single day. This figure will undoubtedly be higher next year.
Victoria’s least affluent suburbs lose six times more to poker machines than the most affluent postcodes. For instance,Brimbank residents recently lost over $12 million dollars in a single month, compared to $1.7 million in Stonnington. The gap between our most and least privileged students grows wider, and gambling losses are a major contributor.
The gaming operators are clearly exploiting communities that are already highly stressed, and that can least afford the additional problems poker machines create. There can be no doubt that our most disadvantaged students are further harmed by the hotels and clubs which abound in their districts. The social and financial harm suffered by their parents, carers and relatives from poker machines is compromising our children’s education and thus their future . This harm includes family violence, extreme financial hardship, poor mental health and increased risk of suicide.
I write as a parent, teacher and someone who has suffered harm from these evil machines. The Andrews government has refused to implement any reforms which restrict this disastrously ruinous business. Gambling reform groups have asked for maximum one dollar bets, restricted opening hours and a decrease in the number of machines. Labor have ignored these harm reduction measures. Instead, they have increased the length of gaming licenses to run all the way to 2042. They have allowed hotels to add more poker machines.
During the recent election campaign I spoke to many Labor supporters and activists who told me that they were on my side; that they abhor poker machines as much as I do. However, when will these supportive words produce action? Please, if you have any sway with the Labor party, push for poker machine reform. Stop robbing our most needy students.
Yours in solidarity,
Ian Stuart McDonald
Member number -------
Member number -------
