State could sacrifice pokie taxes
Posted
The Treasurer Michael Aird is prepared to sacrifice gaming taxes to reduce Tasmanians' addiction to poker machines.
Mr Aird is joining the nation's other gaming ministers today for a meeting with the federal minister, Jenny Macklin, in Sydney.
Last year the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd declared his hatred of poker machines and called today's meeting as part of his push to reduce the states' reliance on gambling taxes.
The Tasmanian Government is considering its response to problem gambling, after the release of a report which identified poker machines as the main source of addiction.
Mr Aird is expecting some sort of request for action today.
"It is true that the Prime Minister has indicated his displeasure," Mr Aird said.
Mr Aird's already ruled out a rollback of poker machines, but says he's prepared to give up some of the $90 million in annual gambling taxes.
Mr Aird's denied suggestions the State Government is addicted to the revenue.
