The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, has said the Allan Labor Government has made an appalling and out-of-touch decision by abolishing the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF).
“Putting an important organisation like the VRGF on the chopping board has put support for Victorians with a gambling problem further out of reach,” Mrs O’Keeffe said.
The Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne, could not provide the reasoning behind this decision, which blindsided the board. This is yet another consequence of Labor’s financial mismanagement, cutting costs in an area that will directly impact vulnerable Victorians.
“As a member of the board for the past 16 months, I’ve seen firsthand the effective and productive work being done.”
Despite Labor talking up a new “integrated” model, it will, in fact, send the prevention of gambling harm to three separate agencies – the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and Community Safety and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission.
Mrs O’Keeffe said the three-way split will do nothing to ensure a clear, coordinated focus on gambling harm.
“The foundation should’ve been supported to continue their great work when the need for support for those experiencing gambling harm continues to rise, not retracting years of hard work and proven data when the foundation is making such a difference,” she said.
“We know that families are impacted by the cost-of-living pressures increased by the impact of gambling.
“This is yet another example that Labor can’t manage money and our most vulnerable Victorians are paying the price.”