Goodbye to VIP Lounges

THE State Government’s assault on problem gamblers begins in earnest this September with all gambling-related signage to be abolished.

The Government is taking the action to deliver on a key election commitment to reduce problem gambling, by moving to ban external signage such as ‘VIP Lounge’ from pubs and clubs across the state by September 1.

It was announced by the Minister for Racing and Gaming David Harris.

The Government’s action on VIP signage comes after introducing legislation in the first sitting week of the new Parliament to ban clubs with pokies from donating to NSW political parties.

Pubs and clubs will be formally notified from next week that all external gambling-related signs, including fixed unilluminated awning signs to digital video displays, will need to be removed, altered, or concealed.

Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) has developed a position paper which outlines its enforcement approach and transition period. As part of this, venue operators have three months to remove all gaming related signage.

Where venues can demonstrate delays in removing their signage that are outside of their control, they will be afforded a further three months to comply. Following this period, a zero-tolerance approach will be adopted.

Names such as ‘VIP Room/VIP Lounge, Golden Room/Lounge, Players’ Room/Lounge Prosperity Room/ Lounge’ will be among names banned as well as images of dragons, coins or lightning motifs.

The expectations for removal of signs will be applied in a staged manner, to afford venues the time to remove, switch off, conceal or otherwise change both static and electronic signage.

The Government will work with industry associations and venues across NSW during the transition period. The maximum penalty attributable for those who fail to remove their signs and breach the Act is 100 penalty units, or $11,000, per offence.

Get your blood pressure checked

CARDIOVASCULAR disease (CVD) is a major health issue in Australia, leading to the hospitalization of over 600,000 people annually.

World Hypertension Day, which was on May 17, aimed to increase awareness of the significance of knowing and maintaining a healthy blood pressure level.

About 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 worldwide suffer from high blood pressure, with 46% of adults unaware of their condition and only one in five having their blood pressure under control.

Blooms The Chemist, a leading community pharmacy network, supports their local communities by promoting blood pressure monitoring and encouraging individuals to visit their pharmacy for a blood pressure test.

This initiative aims to combat low awareness rates, particularly in low to middle-income areas.

Blooms The Chemist provides free blood pressure evaluation tests as a core health service across their pharmacy network, aiming to prevent future health issues through early detection and intervention.

Greyhounds off to America

IN a historic partnership, retired Australian greyhounds will be sent to the United States to serve as companion animals for law enforcement officers.

The Pacific Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Greyhounds Australasia, Greyhound Racing NSW, and the US Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

The FOP, with over 367,000 members across 3,000 lodges nationwide, aims to provide greyhounds as PTSD dogs and pets for its officers.

The initiative is inspired by successful programs in Australia with the Australian Federal Police Association and Police Association of NSW.

The partnership is seen as a merging of human and animal welfare, providing comfort to officers exposed to traumatic incidents. The initiative has attracted widespread support in the Australian greyhound industry.

Doctors back vaping crackdown

THE Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has expressed support for the Albanese Government’s crackdown on vaping.

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, has announced measures to curb the e-cigarette black market, including restrictions on flavors and colors, pharmaceutical packaging, limits on nicotine concentrations and volumes, and a ban on single-use disposable products.

The RACGP President, Dr. Nicole Higgins, welcomed these actions and emphasized the need to protect young people from nicotine vaping.

She praised the $63M advertising campaign aimed at discouraging vaping and smoking and highlighted the importance of limiting the appeal of vaping products, which often target children.

Dr Higgins also emphasized the RACGP’s willingness to collaborate with the government and promote vaping as a smoking cessation strategy under medical supervision.

She encouraged individuals to seek help from their GPs for various quitting options.

$7M for disadvantaged students

THE NSW Government has allocated over $7M to support disadvantaged students in vocational training.

The funding will remove the cap on needs-based loadings for Smart and Skilled approved training providers, benefiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disabilities, and the long-term unemployed.

Previously, providers could only receive one loading per enrolment, but the removal of the cap acknowledges that students may have multiple needs, allowing for additional loadings.

The decision is based on a report titled “Disadvantage, Disability, and Vocational Education and Training” commissioned by the NSW Department of Education, which found that disadvantaged students have a 15% lower completion rate.

TAFE NSW, known for training a higher proportion of disadvantaged students, will receive the majority of the additional funding.

The Department of Education will also establish a community of practice to share best practices and learnings among training providers.

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