Community Alliance Party

Community Alliance Party candidate Norvan Vogt takes problem gambling seriously, and says the ACT Government should do the same.

Mr Vogt welcomes Senator Xenophon's initiative to address gambling, but a big stick approach is not the only way to approach the issue.

"We don't need Federal politicians kicking the ACT around like a football," he said. "The ACT Government should show some leadership and address the issue itself."

Mr Vogt said he would really like to see the ACT Government research, monitor and manage gambling and its impacts, even to the point of creating a new, independent body if that is what is needed.

"Although the functions theoretically exist in government, I have seen no evidence that they have the power, independence or will to take on the gambling sector and the government's reliance on taxes from gambling revenue," he said.

Gambling is an accountability issue to Mr Vogt, who sees nothing wrong with putting a few dollars on a horse, or popping your loose change through a poker machine.

"When organisations conspire to set up scenarios where they exploit people to maximise profits, is when the government needs to take the initiative and minimise the harm that people can find themselves in," he said.

"The thing that really annoys me is the once any pastime becomes commercialised then the people who participate in it can often be exploited – this is exactly what has happened with gambling," he said.

"I really do believe that people would be absolutely appalled if they knew the true cost to the community of commercialised gambling and where the money really goes," he said.

"The simple assumption that Australians like to bet and gamble and therefore there is not much that the government should do, is not one that I share," he said. "We can and should do more."

Contact: Norvan Vogt