|
|
|
|
Gambling
dispute FAIRFIELD Council has refused to support a gambling summit being organised by one of its councillors. Cr Thang Ngo asked for permission to use a meeting room at the Cabravale Leisure Centre for the event in June but was refused. "[Council] said it was against policy to support something that would cost them money," he said. "I can only assume they mean unlocking the door and setting up chairs. It would not cost them a cent otherwise." Cr Ngo is organising the summit as a private citizen, not as a representative of council. He said the council had made it clear it did not want the summit so he had taken it upon himself to make it happen. The NSW Greens and a variety of community groups plan to help Cr Ngo organise the event. "It's not a political exercise. It is a chance for everyone to have a say and learn how gambling is affecting our community," he said. Cr Ngo first requested the summit in October, 2007. In a statement then, the Mayor, Nick Lalich, said he thought it was "inappropriate" to hold a summit until after a review of the council's gambling policy. He said anyone wishing to hold a public gambling forum was welcome to do so. "Legislation and policy regarding gambling facilities and activities are set by the State Government," he said. Greens MP and gambling spokeswoman Lee Rhiannon has given her support to Cr Ngo and is taking the call for a summit even higher. She has been lobbying both the State Government and Opposition to support a gambling summit. "A gambling summit is urgently needed in NSW to consider issues such as the negative impacts of gambling, the conflict of interest between politicians and gambling proponents, and what limits should be placed on the gambling industry," Ms Rhiannon said. |