SEPTEMBER 4, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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Pokies ‘health crisis’ By Tate Papworth
A grand thrill for Ella
(Joe Mastroianni)
Brimbank continues to top the state for pokies losses. Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation data shows that pokies venues in Brimbank took more than $12.8 million from residents last month. Brimbank’s total losses in 2017-18 were $139.51 million, making it the Victorian municipality with the greatest pokies losses – a ranking it has held for a decade. Brimbank councillor Virginia Tachos said the figures were troubling and the damage they represented to the community needed to stop. “It is disturbing that the new financial year has opened with a nine per cent increase in July to a record $12.81 million in losses in just one month,” Cr Tachos said. “If this keeps up Brimbank’s losses could top $150 million in 2018-19.” Cr Tachos called for legislation to be introduced to ease the pain. “Our communities are suffering from gambling harm and it’s only getting worse,” she said. “This is a public health crisis and it needs to end. “We call on the state government and opposition parties to commit to $1 maximum bets, reduce venue opening hours and lower the cap on the number of pokies machines in our community.” Alliance for Gambling Reform spokesman and director Tim Costello said the problem was deepening across the state and government intervention was required. “Increased losses mean rising harm, family violence, suicide, financial hardship and crime, which is particularly disturbing when you consider it is often our most vulnerable communities who are being exploited by poker machines,” he said. “Successive Victorian governments have become reliant on the easy money of gambling taxes, but this has got to stop. “With the state election just three months away, we need the major parties to come up with new policies which will reduce pokies losses. “We are saying the next Victorian Parliament must show some spine and heart and address this issue to prevent the needless suicides, family violence, bankruptcy and fraud which flows when $2.7 billion a year is ripped from the community through addictive poker machines in suburban pubs and clubs.”
Setting foot on the hallowed MCG turf would be a dream come true for any kid, yet Ella Mazjerin has done just that and is gearing up to do it again. Ella was named as an Auskicker of the Year nominee for round 22 of the AFL season, playing a game on the MCG at half-time of the Essendon-Richmond match and being interviewed by Channel Seven. “It was really scary, but I had lots of fun,” she said. “One of the boys said we’ll pass it to you but after you kick a goal we’re going to go hard. “It was my first time at the ground – it was so big, and pretty cool being on TV, too.” A passionate Essendon supporter, Ella said skipper Dyson Heppell and small forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti were her favourite players. She hopes one day she will pull on a Bombers jumper in the AFLW. On top of her round 22 experience, Ella will be part of the build-up to the AFL grand final with the other 21 Auskicker of the Year finalists, meeting players, joining in the grand final parade and presenting the premiership medals to the winning side on the final Saturday in September. She will also take part in an Auskick game on the MCG at half-time of the big game. “It’ll be really exciting,” Ella said. “I think it’ll be lots of fun and when I give the medal out, I’ll get to meet some new players, which is pretty cool.” The winner of the Auskicker of the year award will be announced on September 27. Ewen McRae