FED:Joyce says clubs haven't bought influence

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2012
FED:Joyce says clubs haven't bought influence

CANBERRA, Feb 1 AAP - Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce says donations from the
gaming industry have not influenced the Coalition's stance on poker machine reforms -
although both parties oppose the government's policy.

The Liberals and Nationals received the lion's share of $1.85 million in donations
from the clubs industry, which largely came from the Australian Hotels and Hospitality
Association, Australian Hotels Association state branches in NSW and South Australia,
and Clubs NSW.

The industry has campaigned heavily against Labor's proposed poker machine reforms
which include mandatory pre-commitment for high-yield machines and ATM withdrawal limits.

The coalition also opposes the policy, saying it won't work to help problem gamblers.

"I don't think that they have had a substantial influence on us," Senator Joyce told
reporters in Canberra on Wednesday of the donations.

"I think that this issue will be looked at in isolation."

The Queensland senator said people were always allowed to lobby politicians on issues.

"If the lobbying progresses to something more overt then you won't win friends, you'll
lose them," he said.

"As long as people present their issue on its merits, and not premised around a threat,
then people will listen to them or otherwise."

In August, veteran coalition frontbencher Bronwyn Bishop made an angry outburst in
a committee hearing when a public health advocate suggested politicians were influenced
by donations and buying access was a prime motivation for donors.

She said the suggestion was offensive and said members of parliament could not "have
their opinions bought and sold".

AAP klc/rl/mjs/wjf

KEYWORD: DONATIONS JOYCE

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