MEDIA RELEASE

NICK XENOPHON M.L.C.

INDEPENDENT NO POKIES MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL  

24 July, 2004

GAMBLING AND DISABILITY PHONE IN HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO PROTECT MOST VULNERABLE  

No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon has put his support behind the Disability Action Inc ‘Gambling phone in for people with disabilities’ being held today (Saturday) from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm (a copy of the Disability Action Inc Media Release is attached).

Mr Xenophon said:

“People with disabilities are amongst the most vulnerable in the community to gambling addiction – particularly with pokies.  The phone in will provide a valuable resource to establish the extent of the problem and to focus on any gambling related exploitation of disabled people”.

“In particular if a gambling venue knows a person that has a disability that makes them particularly vulnerable to developing a gambling problem, then there is a higher duty on that venue to do the right thing by the disabled person.”

Mr Xenophon said that it was important for the people to come forward and tell their stories to the Disability Action hotline so that information could be put before all MPs in considering gambling law reform when Parliament resumes in September.

Written and authorised by Nick Xenophon, 653 Lower North East Road, Paradise, SA 5075