Senator SIEWERT (2.22 pm)—My question is to Senator Evans, the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous

Affairs, Ms Jenny Macklin. I refer to the minister’s comments today on income quarantining. Does the minister consider that all welfare recipients squander their payments on alcohol, drugs and gambling? On what evidence does the minister make the claim that income support recipients are wasting their money on alcohol, gambling and drugs?

Rachel talks to ABC's AM program about the Greens' plan to stop problem gambling.

Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2009

On the eve of the release of the Productivity Commission's draft report into gambling, the Australian Greens have released a strategy paper with five measures to address problem gambling which can be implemented immediately by the federal government.

Greens spokesperson on gambling, Senator Rachel Siewert called on the federal government to use its constitutional powers to intervene on this issue and implement these measures which have broad community and academic support.

This inquiry heard extremely compelling evidence around the impact of problem gambling on individuals and on Australian families and of the significant harm caused by electronic gaming machines-commonly known as EGMs or poker machines. The inquiry also heard evidence of the increase in addiction, particularly of young women, which coincided with the introduction of electronic gaming machines.

The Australian Greens are calling for the urgent implementation of reforms to tackle the growing social impact of problem gambling and the significant harm caused by poker machines.

"Evidence given to a recent Senate Committee showed that poker machines are an issue for 85% of all problem gamblers in Australia, with up to 50% of revenue coming from 2% of users. The willingness of Governments and industry to help these people has a clear conflict of interest, given the obscene amount of income they generate," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

To the new Rudd Labor government - I thank you for this day.

I am very pleased to finally hear an Australian Prime Minister say ‘Sorry' on behalf of the nation. It means a great deal to many, many Australians. Thank you also for opening the 42nd Parliament yesterday with a welcome to country.

The Australian Greens support the need for reform to the Child Support Scheme. The last time we debated the new scheme we indicated our support for it.

Transcript of joint doorstop with Senator Chris Evans (ALP), Senator Andrew Bartlett (Australian Democrats) and Senator Rachel Siewert (Australian Greens)