Robson Matt: Gambling Bill — Third Reading 
Robson Matt: Gambling Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:611;Page:8650] 
Hon MATT ROBSON (Deputy Leader—Progressive) 
: 
 Peter Brown and I share a regard for common sense but we also share a belief in the wise words of the Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci who said that common sense is often just shared prejudice. I am sure that Peter Brown and I have often talked about that. 
The Progressive Coalition is supporting the bill though we do not have as much to celebrate in the battle against problem gambling as we ought to given our absolute majority on the centre-left. Progressive’s position is perhaps best summarised by Richard Northey a former member of Parliament and now chair of the Problem Gambling Foundation. He says that the bill before us represents eight steps forward because it provides a tougher regime to control gambling than the present law of this land. That is why the Progressive Coalition supports the bill. We do not believe in throwing the baby out with the bathwater. 
The Greens walked away because they were not getting everything they wanted and have now vowed to bring the bill down altogether. They would rather that the eight steps forward being made here today were not being made at all just so that they can have the emotional satisfaction of putting out a press statement accusing Labour of being arrogant. Sue Bradford talked in this House yesterday of the arrogance of Labour—a party that won over 41 percent of the vote last election which is two times more than any other single party. Yet when the Greens walk out on negotiations with Labour Labour and the Progressive Coalition have no choice but to find at least one other Opposition party to allow us to enact legislation that in Richard Northey’s words allows us to take the eight steps forward that we would not otherwise be able to take. In other words to take eight steps forward on problem gambling—as we are—we have had to turn to a conservative party which in this case is United Future. 
“Arrogant” means having or showing an exaggerated opinion of one’s own merit or ability and I know that Mr English would agree with that. Surely the test of any party’s merit or ability is the success it has in getting its policies enacted and in representing the people who voted for it. However I thank the Greens for voting for the Progressive Coalition’s Supplementary Order Paper on cutting and capping the numbers of pokie machines. We in the Progressive Coalition also reject banknote acceptors which make it easier for problem gamblers to throw their families’ dollar notes into gaming machines and we thank the Greens for supporting us on that. 
But again we wonder how United Future will justify its stance on gambling when it is supposed to be pro-family. I also note that United Future does not support the Progressive Coalition’s pro-family 4 weeks’ minimum annual leave bill; apparently the only families United Future wishes to strengthen are rich families. 
Standing Orders do not permit me to introduce a member’s bill to reform gambling laws this year but from next year I will put forward a member’s bill on behalf of the Progressive Coalition that really will be pro-family and do more to protect families from problem gambling.