Gambling and TAB Venues Policy Hearings Committee
MINUTES
Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Gambling and TAB Venues Policy Hearings Committee held in the Edinburgh Room, Municipal Chambers, The Octagon, Dunedin, on Tuesday 20 February 2018, commencing at 9.00am
PRESENT
Chairperson |
Cr Aaron Hawkins |
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Members |
Cr Marie Laufiso |
Cr Conrad Stedman |
IN ATTENDANCE |
Adrian Blair (Group Manager, Customer and Regulatory Services) and Kevin Mechen (Alcohol, Psychoactive Drugs and Gambling Advisor) |
Governance Support Officers Rebecca Murray and Jennifer Lapham
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Marita Johnson
Ms Johnson spoke to her submission and commented that she supported the sinking lid. She spoke of her personal experience on the impact of gambling.
New Zealand Community Trust – Tanya Piejus
Ms Piejus spoke to the New Zealand Community Trust submission and reiterated points in the submission. Ms Piejus advised that research conducted last year by Auckland University found that for every problem gambler seven to ten people were effected. Ms Piejus advised she advocated for the capped rather than the sinking lid. Electronic gaming machines numbers have declined but problem gambling rates are stable. If electronic gaming machines declined, there will be less funding available.
Dunedin Netball - Lee-Anne Anderson
Ms Anderson spoke to the Dunedin Netball submission; Ms Anderson commented that she was speaking as a parent, volunteer and participant through various avenues around the city. She reiterated points in her submission and expressed concern at the potential impact of the lower revenue that could be available for sporting foundations, if a sinking lid was initiated across the city.
Parafed Otago – Duane Donovan
Mr Donovan spoke to and reiterated points in the Parafed Otago submission.
The Southern Trust – Karen Shea
Ms Shea spoke to The Southern Trust submission and explained how funding works, where it goes and what the impact of funding on the community was. There is a social responsibility to respond appropriately to the needs of the community. She advised that an issue with problem gambling is that people were reluctant to seek help. The Southern Trust supported the status quo and the ability to relocate gaming machine venues.
Pub Charity – Martin Cheer
Ms Shea from The Southern Trust spoke to the Pub Charity submission on behalf of Mr Cheer who was unable to attend the hearing.
Problem Gambling Foundation – Eru Loach
Mr Loach spoke to his submission and commented that Class 4 gambling was the most harmful form of gambling. Gambling is designed to be addictive and it is the most common cause of harm. Two in five users develop problems at some point and each problem gambler affects five to ten others. There are both social costs of harm and personal cost. 82% of adults never use electronic gaming machines.
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Moved (Cr Hawkins/Cr Laufiso): That the Committee:
a) Adjourn the meeting. Motion carried (HEAR/2018/004)
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The meeting adjourned at 10.35 am and reconvened at 10.50 am. |
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Class 4 Working Party – Jarrod True
Mr True spoke to the Class 4 Working Party submission. He expanded on points in the submission including the worth of a relocation clause in the proposed policy. He advised that the Christchurch City Council's policy did not have a relocation clause, and as a result a number of establishments closed down after the earthquake, to the detriment of organisations relying on funding. The unintended consequences of taking away the electronic gaming machines is that internet gambling will be used. There is no control over this and no return to the community. The status quo is reasonable.
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Moved (Cr Hawkins/Cr Laufiso): That the Committee: a) Adjourn the meeting. Motion carried (HEAR/2018/005)
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The meeting adjourned at 11.06 am and reconvened at 11.30 am. |
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The Salvation Army – Oasis – Bronwyn Powell-Grubb
Ms Powell-Grubb spoke to The Salvation Army – Oasis submission. A problem gambler attended with Ms Powell-Grubb and spoke of her story with problem gambling, and answered questions from the Hearings Committee.
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As a result of comments in the submissions, the Hearings Committee asked staff to research the possibility of having a relocation clause in the policy, covering the event of a Natural Disaster or Natural Event. |
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Moved (Cr Hawkins/Cr Laufiso): That the Committee: a) Adjourn the meeting. Motion carried (HEAR/2018/006)
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The meeting adjourned at 11.42 am and reconvened on 6 March 2018 at 9.00 am. |
The meeting concluded 9.22am
CHAIRPERSON