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Southwest Sydney Gambling Summit a model for statewide action
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Greens MP and gambling spokesperson Lee Rhiannon today congratulated organisers of this Friday's Southwest Sydney Gambling Summit, including local Greens co-ordinator Bill Cashman and Fairfield Councillor Thang Ngo, for highlighting the impact of problem gambling on their local community and working to find solutions."It's disappointing Premier Iemma has refused to take a similar step and initiate a statewide problem gambling summit, like those held by the government on obesity, drugs and alcohol," Ms Rhiannon said.
"The Greens call for a statewide gambling summit has been widely backed, with support coming from the Salvation Army, Wesley Mission, the Australian Consumers Association, the Local Government Association, counselling services and prominent academics.
“For too long in NSW gambling has been treated as a revenue tap, with insufficient attention paid to its devastating impact for problem gamblers and their families.
"The NSW government has turned its back on problem gamblers. Many residents and their families living in Southwest Sydney are feeling the economic and social pain as a result," Ms Rhiannon said.
Mr Bill Cashman, who will be acting as a summit facilitator, said today:
“I know there’s no ‘silver bullet’ to solve the issue of problem gambling, but that doesn’t mean we should close our eyes and hope it goes away.
“By trying something new we may not find a total solution, but by doing nothing we can be sure we won’t.
“By looking at the issue rationally and engaging all stakeholders, we can work to a consensus for real change. If we don’t include everyone, those outside the process remain part of the problem, not part of the solution.
“I cannot believe that this initiative has been attacked by members of the Fairfield Council. We wanted them to be part of the solution, not to be outside the process, but they seem to want to politicise it," Mr Cashman said.
What: Southwest Sydney Problem Gambling Summit. For more info: http://gamblingsummit.org/us.htm
When: 11-1pm, Friday 16 May 2008
Where: Green Valley Centre
For information: Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551/0427 861 568, Bill Cashman - 0403 139 825.
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