Prime Minister Julia Gillard is facing internal discontent over gambling reforms promised as part of a deal that helped Labor retain power.
A member of her ministry has warned a blanket approach to tackling problem gambling will hurt small clubs in his electorate concerns backed by other regional members.
Limits on withdrawals from ATMs and poker machine technology to limit the losses of problem gamblers are the points of contention.
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie received a string of commitments in exchange for supporting Labor's bid to form minority government and stressed yesterday the agreement was ''non negotiable''.
''Limiting cash withdrawals from ATMs to $250 a day in gaming venues, except for casinos, was a key recommendation of the Productivity Commission Inquiry Report into Gambling,'' Mr Wilkie said.
In a caucus meeting this week, Member for Eden-Monaro and parliamentary secretary Mike Kelly raised concerns.
''I have some fairly strong views about making sure we understand the situation that applies in country areas,'' Dr Kelly told The Canberra Times. He warned against a one-size-fits-all approach.
''For example in some of the towns, the only ATM ... is inside the club. And particularly if it's minus eight and snowing outside, there's a good reason why that ATM might be inside that club,'' he said.
As part of the signed agreement between Mr Wilkie, Ms Gillard also pledged to introduce a uniform, national scheme to limit the losses of problem gamblers who played the pokies. Typically, pre-commitment technology allowed punters to set spending and time limits before they put the first coin in the poker machine slot.
The scheme would start in three years and apply across all states and territories, with the technology installed on all poker machines.
Dr Kelly feared the effect that could have on small clubs.
''That's going to be a very difficult cost challenge for small clubs. We're going to have to craft that approach carefully if that's the way we're going,'' he said.
Dr Kelly said he made the points ''fairly strongly'' in caucus and was backed by a few colleagues whose electorates covered regional areas. In small towns, club staff knew which customers had problems with gambling.
In the pact with Mr Wilkie, Ms Gillard promised to press states and territories to change laws to roll out the reforms. If there was no agreement by May 31, the Commonwealth would ''unilaterally seek to legislate in order to achieve these reforms subject to legal advice''.
About a fortnight ago, Families Minister Jenny Macklin and Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten issued advice from the Australian Government Solicitor.
The Commonwealth could legislate using powers related to corporations, trade and commerce, telecommunications, banking, taxation, currency and territories.
For comments from Ms Macklin on the issue, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.
Source: The Canberra Times
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