Council Meeting, 31 May 2016Section2.2 – Page 1

2.2MONASH PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO GAMBLING POLICY STATEMENT 2016 – 2020

(FH:LIAS77)

Responsible Director:Julie Salomon

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s endorsement of the City of Monash Public Health Approach to Gambling Policy Statement 2016 – 2020 (refer Attachment 1) following the community consultation.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS/ISSUES

Council has long been concerned about the proliferation of poker machines in our neighbourhoods and is a state and national leader in campaigning for action and change.

Council understands gambling as an evidence-based public health issue which impacts individuals, families and communities. A number of external and deliberate factors play a significant role in this public health issue, including state legislation and poker machine approval processes, concentration of poker machines in vulnerable areas, advertising and accessibility, high-intensity products, poorly regulated gambling industries and state government reliance on poker machine revenue.

The Statement is evidence-based by the landmark municipal-wide consultation and findings documented through in Impacts of Problem Gambling in the City of Monash (2013), the 10,000+ Monash residents who pledged their support to Enough Pokies (2014) and the unparalleled community engagement with Clayton CANVAS (2014 – 2017).

The Statement outlines nine policy priorities for Council to advance its public health approach to gambling. These policy priorities and their associated statements are to inform and be applied to all relevant Council planning, policy, programs and decision-making to ensure a whole-of-Council approach.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The Statement will be implemented within existing resources.

CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION

The City of Monash Public Health Approach to Gambling Policy Statement 2016 – 2020 outlines in detail Council’s public health approach to gambling with nine policy priorities. The Policy is to have whole-of-Council ownership and provides Council with a clear, consistent and decisive position on this major public health issue.

2.2MONASH PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO GAMBLING POLICY STATEMENT 2016 – 2020

(FH:LIAS77)

Responsible Director:Julie Salomon

RECOMMENDATION

That Council

1. Endorses the City of Monash Public Health Approach to Gambling Policy Statement 2016 – 2020; and

2. Notes the incorporation of the Public Health Approach to Gambling Policy Statement into the Health & Wellbeing Partnership Plan 2013 – 2017 and Access & Equity Framework 2013 – 2017.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s endorsement of the City of Monash Public Health Approach to Gambling Policy Statement 2016 – 2020(refer Attachment 1).

BaCKGROUND

At the 29 March 2016 meeting, Council endorsed the release of the draft City of Monash Public Health Approach to Gambling Policy Statement.

TheStatementreplaces the City of Monash Responsible Gambling Strategy 2012 – 2015.

DISCUSSION

Council has long been concerned about the proliferation of poker machines in our neighbourhoods and is a state and national leader in campaigning for action and change.

Council understands gambling as an evidence-based public health issue which impacts individuals, families and communities. A number of external and deliberate factors play a significant role in this public health issue, including state legislation and poker machine approval processes, concentration of poker machines in vulnerable areas, advertising and accessibility, high-intensity products, poorly regulated gambling industries and state government reliance on poker machine revenue.

Council’s public health position is to seek legislative reform to the Gambling Regulation Act to place greater regulation and restrictions on the gambling industry, environments and products which are designed to mislead and profit from individuals.

Council’s public health action is dedicated to continuing to engage our local community in taking positive ownership of the issue, decreasing stigma, encouraging help-seeking and participation in gambling-free community spaces and activities.

The Statement is poker machine-specific due to Council’sdecision-making role in planning permits and the opportunity to participate in gaming machine licence applications under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003. Poker machines are a priority focus for Council as the Monash municipality is ranked fifth in the state with the highest number of gaming venues, poker machines and losses. In the 2014 – 2015 financial year, $114 million dollars was lost to poker machines in Monash.

The Statement articulates that whilst Council does not have direct legislative influence in online gambling and sports betting, it will continue to support action for increased regulation of these environments andwill broadly promote gambling-free community spaces and activities in Monash. However, in an attempt to stem the increase in on-line gambling and sports-betting, a clause in all leases and licences for our sporting clubs and other community groups will state that Council will not permit gambling activity, promotion or advertising in Council-owned facilities. This pertains to all forms of gambling including sports betting, online gambling and poker machines.

The Statement is evidence-based by the landmark municipal-wide consultation and findingsdocumented through inImpacts of Problem Gambling in the City of Monash (2013), the 10,000+ Monash residents who pledged their support to Enough Pokies (2014) and the unparalleled community engagement with Clayton CANVAS (2014 – 2017).

The Statement outlines nine policy priorities for Council to advance its public health approach to gambling. These policy prioritiesand their associated statements are to inform and be applied to all relevant Council planning, policy, programs and decision-making to ensure a whole-of-Council approach.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

The Statement is to replace the City of Monash Responsible Gambling Strategy 2012 – 2015 and will be incorporated into the Health & Wellbeing Partnership Plan 2013 – 2017 and Access & Equity Framework 2013 – 2017.

CONSULTATION

The draft Statement was released for public comment from 1 April – 28 April 2016. Through this process Council received 42 submissions, with overwhelming support for Council’s strong stance in relation to:

  • Strengthening the community resilience to Gambling related harm
  • Advocacy; and
  • Leadership

A number of submissions received by Councilhave been personal heartfelt and courageous stories highlighting the real impact of the gambling industry on the Monash community. Attachment 2: Summary Report provides a detailed summary of the written submissions. A snapshot of the feedback includes:

A retired teacher involved in church and community activities, who was widowed in her 50’s confessed to "gambling issues". Mum doesn't recognise it as a problem despite having over $100,000 in debt.
As she had considerable money was offered credit limit increases by banks even though she could not pay her bills and accrued phenomenal interest.
Mum has played pokies for 20 years - and the family now understand why she lost her house and super.....over a few million dollars...... She had lots of excuses and hid it well.She continues to gamble - but doesn't want to engage a counsellor! She has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in the City of Monash.
“It is only on rare occasions I respond to online surveys. This topic is one I would like my view to be heard. As a young child I never understood why bus loads of elderly people travelled all the way to NSW to play the "One Armed Bandits". I was in primary school and knew they were just giving their money away. My parents are both educated and English speaking. They were employed in stable, well paid jobs, they worked hard. I have benefitted as a result of my upbringing and the education I received and have never felt the need or desire to gamble. The current "Gambling" regulations ensure that the losses to community are highest in the municipalities which are the poorest. These people lack the "big picture". Their losses, created as a result of their gambling behaviours are enormous-not solely financial. As a teacher, I believe it is my duty to help individuals make educated choices. When society assists by providing an environment that nurtures and supports its citizens, positive outcomes are more likely to result. I fully support Council's Gambling Policy Statement.”
“Gambling and poker machines offer very little in a positive way to the community and actually do an incredible amount of harm.”
“I read an article in the readers digest some years ago which I have kept called "the psychology of pokies" and that opened my eyes a lot and explained how I got suckered into going to them so much. I was being conditioned by random reinforcement from the machines. I call any poker machine venue "the house of hell". I very much object to seeing inside the Oakleigh Junction hotel poker machine thru the clear windows as I walk past as it brings back bad memories for me.”
“I oppose the use of poker machines because they are highly addictive and all too often destroy people's lives. I support the council's plan to introduce activities that benefit the health of the individual and the community instead.”
“I feel the measures suggested are sensible and a great starting point. Pokie machines can be as harmful to individuals as machines dispensing smokes yet somehow they are everywhere.”

Concerns were raised by a number of Rotary Clubs who meet at the Leighoak, Dandenong Rd, Oakleigh and theWaverley RSL to Council specifically in relation to Clauses 4.4 and 4.5.

The policy statement highlighted in Clause 4.4 refers only to Council funded community groups (such as seniors groups) using meeting rooms in poker machine venues through the annual Monash Community Grants Program.

As a result of the recent grants evaluation process,the Community Grants Evaluation Panel felt that in line with the strong stance Council has taken in relation to poker machines, Council funding to these groups should facilitate access to community based facilities such as Council halls or church halls for their meetings.

Through Council’s Community Grants Program for the 2016/17 financial year, funding is being allocated to the Waverley War Widows who currently meet at the Waverley RSL, Glen Waverley ($467.50) and the Senior Citizens of the Freccia Azurra Club Inc, Freccia Azurra Club, Braeside ($4,250). In addition, in-kind printing of $309.54 is being allocated to the Combined Probus Club of Waverley Gardens who currently meet at Vegas Waverley Gardens, Mulgrave. Council officers willsupport these groups to source alternate venues for 2016/17 to ensure that a change in venue will not adversely impact their group activities.

As Council does not provide funding to Rotary Clubs to meet through the Monash Community Grants program this Clause has no effect on Rotary Clubs.

To ensure greater clarity, it is proposed that the wording of Clause 4.4 is revised as follows:

Clause 4.4 - Current wording

Through the Monash Community Grants Program, Council will not support or fund community groups who meet at venues that have EGM’s

Clause 4.4 - Proposed revisedwording

Through the Monash Community Grants Program, Council will not fund community groups who meet at venues that have EGM’s.

The policy statement in Clause 4.5 refers to the direct promotion of Gambling activities by Council.

Council’s current arrangements with the RSL for community events and activities will not be impacted. Council’s support for the delivery of the annual Anzac Day and Remembrance Day Services in Glen Waverley (including, but not limited to, access to the sites and public amenities, waste management, grounds preparation, and traffic management planning and approval) will continue to be provided. Council will continue to support the promotion of these services at the Glen Waverley and Central Reserve Cenotaphs as these commemorative services are considered significant annual community events.

Clause 4.5- Current wording

Council will not support or provide community grants, funding, sponsorship, Council facilities, publicity or promotion for community groups/organisations that promote gambling. All relevant Council guidelines will align with this policy position

Clause 4.5 - Proposed revisedwording

Council will not provide community grants, funding, sponsorship, Council facilities, publicity or promotion for community groups/organisations that promote gambling. All relevant Council guidelines will align with this policy position

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The Statement will be implemented within existing resources.
CONCLUSION

The City of Monash Public Health Approach to Gambling Policy Statement 2016 – 2020outlines in detail Council’s public health approach to gambling with nine policy priorities. The Policy is to have whole-of-Council ownership and provides Council with a clear, consistent and decisive position on this major public health issue.

ATTACHMENT

Attachment 1:City of Monash Public Health Approach to Gambling Policy Statement 2016 – 2020

Attachment 2: Summary Report ofConsultation Public Health Approach to Gambling Policy Statement 2016 - 2020

Monash Public Health Approach to Gambling Policy Statement 2016 – 2020