Senate debates

Wednesday, 5 March 2014

Bills

Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading

11:45 am

Photo of Nick XenophonNick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

by leave—The second reading amendment essentially calls on the Senate to note the desire for gambling reform amongst the wider community and calls on the government to hold a plebiscite not later than the next federal election for a Commonwealth approach to poker machine reform and in particular to implement $1 bets and $120 hourly losses. I move this amendment on the basis that, if there is a lack of political will within the parliament, then at least give it to the people; if there is a deadlock, if the major parties cannot agree on this, then at least this is one way of outsourcing that responsibility directly to the people by way of a plebiscite, which I believe would be carried given the overwhelming desire for gambling reform.

Question negatived.