Commonwealth threat to introduce pokies in WA

All West Australians should be concerned over plans for a Federal takeover of pokies.

Premier Colin Barnett said WA had a long-held and bi-partisan opposition to poker machines which could be overruled if the Federal Government pushed ahead with plans to regulate gambling across Australia.

The Premier was reacting to legal advice released by the Federal Government on Tuesday which confirmed the Government had the constitutional powers to enforce changes through taxation and corporation law.

"Other States have allowed pokies in clubs and pubs, resulting in all the financial and social problems and family breakdowns that go with them," Mr Barnett said.

"If the Federal Government tried to use corporation power to regulate gambling, they risk creating one set of rules across Australia thereby allowing pokies in WA.

"I am very concerned by this move, as should all West Australians."

The Premier said there was also public finance issue to the Federal Government's plan.

"The other States have become financially dependent on gambling revenue, essentially through pokies. Queensland collects $964million, Victoria collects $1.722billion and New South Wales collects $1.8billion," he said.

"WA with its no pokies policy derives only $279million in gambling revenue of which $133million is from Lotterywest. Casino tax is only $112million.

"If WA becomes dependent on gambling taxes, the clear consequence is growing gambling problems.

"The current mess of Commonwealth-State financial relations is also a factor.

"The other States which rely on gambling suffer no cuts in the GST because of gambling revenue. On the other hand, WA has its GST share cut because we have mining royalty income.

"WA's strong economy and its principled stand against gambling is penalised and the gambling States are rewarded. That is hardly logical or fair."

Premier's office - 9222 9475