Media Release

Saturday, 29 March 2008

COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING REPORT TABLED AT COUNCIL

A 48 page report about gambling was tabled at the full council meeting this Tuesday.

The report was written by Fairfield Councillor Thang Ngo as a result of his attendance at the 2008 International Gambling Conference in Auckland last month.

Cr Ngo said gambling is a major issue in Fairfield: “Our local government area suffers the most from the harms of problem gambling; residents lose more than $286m to pokies each year and pokies expenditure is taking up 78% of our disposable household income”.

Cr Ngo said he was not opposed to councillors and staff going on conferences: “but given the number of conferences we attend each year and being mindful that residents are paying for our attendance, I think as a minimum, Councillors should report back to Council and the community”.

Cr Ngo’s report contains 11 recommendations, which he hopes will be discussed and adopted by Council.

In addition to tabling the document at Council, Cr Ngo has also emailed it to community groups and made it available online so that residents can access the report.

He said his report has already been downloaded: “I understand the Gambling Impact Society (GIS) has a copy and intends to send it to Shoalhaven Council”.

Fairfield Council sent seven delegates including six councillors and the City Manager, Alan Young to Auckland , NZ for this three day conference.

Cr Ngo’s report can be downloaded at www.thangngo.com.

Cr Ngo is the only councillor in Fairfield with a website.

Contact: Fairfield Councillor Thang Ngo – 0410 33 88 33 (m)