WONG: Thanks very much for coming. Im here to discuss the Governments plan to tackle problem gambling. This is a plan that will do more to tackle problem gambling than any plan put forward and implemented by any federal government in Australias history.
I think we all know that problem gambling is debilitating for some families. We know that it can be an addiction so severe that it leads to enormous risks for families. It risks families, friendships and homes. And thats why the Government is acting. We will be putting forward legislation to ensure a large-scale trial for mandatory pre-commitment, and the expansion of pre-commitment technology to every single poker machine in Australia.
Ive seen reports today which talk about the Governments announcement, and I think they ignore a number of key realities. The first reality is that the numbers were not there in this Parliament to deliver mandatory pre-commitment. This Parliament would not support mandatory pre-commitment.
So obviously the Gillard Government had a choice. We could do nothing, or we could get the job done, we could get results. And weve chosen to get results. Weve chosen to put forward a package of reforms we believe will pass the Parliament, the most significant package of reforms in this area introduced by any federal government.
As a South Australian, I also wanted to make some comments about Senator Xenophons remarks in the press today. I do understand Nick cares deeply about this issue. But if he cares about this issue, he should care about the results. You dont get results by putting a bill into Parliament that you know will fail, and you dont get results by making this personal.
You do get results by putting legislation through which can be supported by the Parliament. And this is the best possible package likely to get support from the Parliament that the Australian people have voted for. Its a package Mr Wilkie will be voting for, and Id look to Senator Xenophon to also support it. Happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: How much of a blow to the Governments credibility is this?
WONG: This is a package which delivers on the Governments intention to deal with problem gambling, but it is a package that reflects the reality of the Parliament. The numbers were not there to deliver mandatory pre-commitment. We believe in getting results. We dont believe in losing votes to make a point.
JOURNALIST: How can the public trust the Gillard Government since its broken two commitments, being the pokies and the carbon tax, before? Can it be trusted?
WONG: This is a Prime Minister who gets the job done, and she can be trusted to get the job done. And what she has done is ensured that we get the best package possible through the Federal Parliament. That is important.
JOURNALIST: Will you support the Greens plan for $1 bets?
WONG: Ive seen some commentary about $1 bets and Ill make this point and I think Minister Macklin made it yesterday in the announcement. $1 bets are not the simple solution that the Greens pretend they will be. Minister Macklin spoke about the evidence we have received, the advice we have received about the very substantial cost of $1 bets and Id also make the point that the Productivity Commission did not recommend that as the best way forward for helping problem gamblers.
JOURNALIST: Theres been commentary now about the relationship between the independents and the Gillard Government. How can you expect Parliament to run smoothly if Independents dont trust the Government anymore?
WONG: Id make this point. We have been governing. We have delivered very substantial pieces of legislation with the support of the independents. They include the mining tax and pricing carbon. Things that people did not believe would be possible. Id make the point that Mr Wilkie has made in, I think, responsible comments about he would approach the Parliament in the future. We can continue to govern and we will continue to govern in the interests of all Australians. And well continue to be a responsible government.
JOURNALIST: Are you afraid though that the Government has lost a lot of public support because of this?
WONG: I think Australians do want action on problem gambling and we are delivering action. I think Australians know that the best thing we can do is deliver results. It may not be the result everybody wants but it is the best possible result given the Parliament we have.
JOURNALIST: Isnt this just another promise that the Government has had to break to hold onto government?
WONG: Absolutely not. This is a package of reforms that will get results for problem gamblers. It will introduce for example, limits on daily ATM withdrawals. It will roll out pre-commitment technology and we will conduct a large scale trial. Thats in addition to the online regulation that we are introducing. And of course online betting is a growing issue for many Australians.
JOURNALIST: So you are truly confident it will make a difference for those addicted to gambling?
WONG: I am truly confident this is the best package to help problem gamblers that we can get through this Parliament.
JOURNALIST: And just on another topic. Westpac are shedding hundreds of jobs. I guess do you think it is justified banks are shedding Australian staff when they are making billions of dollars in profits?
WONG: What Id say is this: I think all Australians, including the Government, wants jobs in Australia. And all Australians, including the Government, wants to ensure we have a strong economy and thats what the Government is doing. And I hope the banks are mindful of the views of Australians about Australian jobs and Id encourage both them and their shareholders to be mindful of them.
JOURNALIST: I guess what are your thoughts on staff being made redundant and then also being forced to train Indian nationals who are actually taking their jobs?
WONG: Look, Im not across the detail of that. Obviously any industrial arrangements are between employers and employees but we do believe in fair industrial arrangements which is why we abolished WorkChoices.
JOURNALIST: Would you say banks are putting their profits ahead of jobs?
WONG: What Id say to banks is that I think Australians support jobs in this country and I hope banks and their shareholders are mindful of that.
ENDS