ALBURY doctor and deputy mayor Amanda Cohn has told of treating a patient who keeled over at a poker machine due to the impact of gambling.
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The Greens councillor gave the insight yesterday amid a debate at the Local Government NSW Conference over a motion about problem gambling.
Liverpool Council wanted Local Government NSW to support councils to develop gambling harm prevention policies and to push for cities and shires to “have a greater say in the placement of poker machines”.
Cr Cohn, who works at Albury hospital, spoke for the motion.
“I’ve looked after a patient who literally collapsed at a gambling machine,” she told delegates.
“In Albury we have alcohol-free zones to look after the health of our community, particularly on public holidays in high risk areas of the town.
“From my point of view being able to take (action) on gambling addiction is no different to our ability to take action on alcohol in our community.”
However the motion was defeated decisively, gaining only 36 per cent support.
Shellharbour mayor Marianne Saliba said licensed clubs were “the backbone of my communities” and played a vital role through jobs and sport.
Lake Macquarie councillor Kevin Baker noted the charity provided by clubs.
“By doing this sort of thing we create a challenging business environment for clubs,” he said.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform’s communications adviser Stephen Mayne, a former Melbourne city councillor, watched the debate with dismay.
“It’s been a staggering insight into the total gambling industry capture of politics in NSW at local government level as well as state and federal levels,” Mr Mayne said.
He accused those supporting clubs of being “foot soldiers” of the industry who “don’t care there’s one suicide a day from gambling-related addiction in Australia”.
Meanwhile, NSW Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton indicated she has no plans to phase out single use plastic bags.
She told delegates her government was tackling plastic litter via its 10-cent levy on drink bottles.
East Albury IGA supermarket owner Bob Mathews was among three business chiefs to protest about the scheme outside the conference.