Bath claims muddying the waters
Letter to the Editor, Fairfield Advance, 21 May 2008

MR Bath is attempting to muddle facts with his unsubstantiated opinions (Poker Machines stats don't add up, Fairfield Advance May 7).

The Judith Stubbs and Associates report found that 78per cent of household disposable income in Fairfield was spent on poker machines.

These were the consultant's figures, not mine.

This report and the 78 per cent figure were widely reported including in the Daily Telegraph, The Australian and Channel 10.

Contrary to Mr Bath's claims “the cited report attributes the spending of the hundreds of thousands of visitors and tourists to that of Fairfield residents” the report does not say anything about spending of visitors in Fairfield clubs and hotels.

I'm not sure from where Mr Bath found the “hundreds and thousands of visitors” figure.

It certainly was not in the report. I should know, I took the time to check with the authors.

I invite everyone to judge for themselves, the report can be downloaded from my website, www.thangngo.com

I enjoy a robust debate but it should be based on facts. While Mr Bath would like to silence facts with opinions, that's not how a healthy democracy works.

As an elected official, it's my duty to do something when my constituents are losing 78per cent of their disposable household income to pokies.

I intend to work constructively with industry, with or without Mr Bath.

Thang Ngo , Fairfield councillor