Plea for pokie vote

CASEY residents could soon get to say yes or no to poker machines.
Seven out of 11 councillors voted at Tuesday’s council meeting to write to the State Government requesting a referendum be held on the acceptance or removal of poker machines within Victoria.
The vote would coincide with the 2006 State election in November.
Councillor Steve Beardon led the push on Tuesday night, reading out a speech sharing his thoughts on poker machines.
Cr Beardon said instead of ‘balancing the books’ with poker machine revenue, the State Government should be investing in manufacturing to generate income from industry.
He said the referendum would give residents the opportunity to express their views on poker machines and say no to gaming if they wanted to.
Councillor Paul Richardson supported the move and said he wanted to see a halt to poker machines in Victoria.
He said this could help save many families from financial stress and relationship problems.
Councillor Janet Halsall said she was committed to a reduction of poker machines but could not support Cr Beardon’s motion, as she did not believe he had written his speech by himself.
Cr Beardon hit back at the claim and remained defiant that he had written the speech.
Casey deputy mayor Rob Wilson said he was not against sending a letter to the State Government but he did not believe removing or reducing the number of poker machines would help those addicted to gambling.
“If you reduce pubs by 20 per cent it would not help solve the problem of drunks,” Cr Wilson said.
Cr Wilson said those who were addicted to poker machines would use many other sorts of gambling if poker machines were banned.
Instead, he said more money needed to be spent helping people with their addictions.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford agreed and said it was important to educate people, particularly youth, about poker machines.