MEDIA RELEASE

NICK XENOPHON M.L.C.

INDEPENDENT NO POKIES MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL  

8th March 2004

 POKIES BARONS COMPENSATION BID

TELL’ EM THEY’RE DREAMING

·                   Call on AHA to release its legal opinion.

·                   No Pokies MLC offers pokies barons free legal advice.

No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon has called on the State Government to tell SA’s pokies barons that “they’re dreaming” over their bid for compensation for any reduction in poker machine numbers.

Media reports that the Australian Hotels Association has sought legal advice from Francis Nelson QC, and from and interstate QCs have brought a sharp rebuke from the No Pokies MLC.

“These jokers in the pokies industry have got a lot of cheek asking for compo.  It’s alright for them when their patrons lose their shirts at the pokies, but they want to be on a sure thing.  These pokies barons obviously think being in the gambling business is a one way street as far as risk is concerned”.

Mr. Xenophon pointed to a key finding of the Productivity Commission’s Report into Australia ’s Gambling Industries that 42.3% of pokies losses are derived from problem gamblers.

“This is an industry that makes a huge proportion of its profits off the back of the vulnerable and the addicted”.

Mr. Xenophon also challenged the AHA to release the sixteen page legal opinion from Francis Nelson QC, and offered his legal services “for free” to give a second opinion on Ms Nelson’s advice.

Mr. Xenophon will be outside the AHA Headquarters (with a violin) on Hindmarsh Square at 12 noon today for a media conference.

Written and authorised by Nick Xenophon, 653 Lower North East Road, Paradise, SA 5075