Labor and the LNP have voted together to defeat a Greens motion in Queensland Parliament to disallow a regulation proposed by the LNP Government, which extends a tax discount for pokies sales.
The Greens say the vote reflects the corrupting influence of political donations from the gambling industry to both major parties.
Background
- The Government has proposed a Gaming Machine Amendment Regulation change that would extend a discount on State taxes paid on the sale of pokies licenses for three years. Instead of the usual 33% paid to the State when a pokies authority is transferred between licensees in Queensland, the rate is reduced to 15%.
- The payment rate was “temporarily” reduced to 15% from 30 June 2022 by the then Labor Government. It was intended to expire after 12 months but has been twice extended, and was due to expire on 30 June 2025. The LNP’s subordinate legislation seeks to extend the “trial” by another three years.
- The only consultation listed on the Explanatory Notes for the amendments is with the Queensland Hotels Association and hotel licensees.
- The Greens moved to disallow the regulation, but the motion was defeated this afternoon after Labor and the LNP opposed it.
Quotes attributable to Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman:
“While every ordinary Queenslander sucks it up and pays their tax, the major parties give political donors a discount.
“It’s sickening to see these sweetheart deals for companies that profit from gambling harm, while Queenslanders struggle with housing, healthcare and living costs.”
“The only thing pokies give back in Queensland are political donations to the LNP and Labor, and the major parties both want to keep it that way.
“Over the last decade, Labor and the LNP have taken millions of dollars from the gambling industry in political donations, while the Greens have taken none. It’s little surprise that we are the only ones opposing the gambling lobby’s insidious grip on Australian politics, and calling for proper regulation of pokies, sports betting and gambling advertising.
“We should be setting bet limits, phasing out pokies from pubs and clubs across Queensland, and banning political donations from the gambling lobby.”