TLDR NSW Labor is set to debate a proposal at its July state conference to cut poker machine numbers from around 90,000 to 45,000 over the next decade The plan is backed by both left and right factions of the party, as well as the head of Unions NSW, Mark Morey Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne is leading the push, saying the public overwhelmingly wants action on poker machine harm The state government has already introduced reforms including a 6-hour mandatory shutoff window and reduced cash loading limits on new machines AUSTRAC last week ordered a Sydney club to appoint an external auditor over anti-money-laundering concerns tied to poker machines
The NSW Labor Party is preparing to debate a proposal that would halve the number of poker machines in the state over the next 10 years. The plan would bring the total down from roughly 90,000 to around 45,000.
The proposal is expected to be a priority item at the party’s state conference in July. It has gained support from across Labor’s internal factions.
Labor Factions Unite Behind the Proposal
Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne is leading the push. He has received backing from both the left and right wings of the party.
Mark Morey, the head of Unions NSW, has also thrown his support behind the plan. Morey said the lesson from recent years is that the number of machines needs to come down.
He added that venues with more than 20 poker machines should be regulated in the same way as casinos. Byrne said Labor members and the general public overwhelmingly want action to reduce harm from poker machines.
Byrne also said the issue is too important to be left only to the state parliamentary party. The broad support suggests the proposal has a real