Odds go each way

By Ed Merrison
IT IS DIFFICULT to say where the smart money lies when it comes to predicting Knox’s pokie future.
Ferntree Gully MP Anne Eckstein was unable to rule out an increase in the number of pokie machines in Knox despite a call from Liberal candidate Nick Wakeling to do so.
Ms Eckstein said no decision had been made on where relocated pokie machines would go, and accused Mr Wakeling of scaremongering.
Mr Wakeling’s call came after Premier Steve Bracks confirmed hundreds of machines would be moved from areas with a severe gambling problem.
“Labor’s cap on pokie numbers in other municipalities will mean poker machines would be moved to other areas such as Knox,” Mr Wakeling said.
“I call on Labor MP Anne Eckstein to end her silence and categorically rule out an increase in pokies here.”
But Ms Eckstein said she would not pre-empt a decision from gaming minister John Pandazopoulos, which he has not yet made.
“We will do so in the near future and the Liberal Party is simply trying to use problem gamblers to get attention for themselves,” a spokesman said.
The spokesman said the Liberals increased the number of pokies from 5,300 to almost 30,000 when they were last in power.
“When it comes to the Liberals it is best to look at their actions and not listen to their words,” he said.
The Bracks Government has consistently said it would not reduce the total number of pokie machines, although it has capped the number at 30,000.
An opposition plan announced in July would reduce the number from 27,500 to 22,000, while Mr Wakeling believes it is time for the Government to make its intentions clear.
“Where are those relocated machines going to be placed and are they coming into Knox? Because if they are, the Liberals stand to reduce the numbers and Labor stands to increase them,” he said.