In Senate Estimates hearings today, the Government's reasons for rejecting $1 bet limits on poker machines were exposed as a lie. Under questioning from Greens Senator, Richard Di Natale, the Department (FAHCSIA) admitted that their $1.5 billion price tag was not based on the Productivity Commission's recommended policy.

The Greens said today that the Baillieu  Government  is using hollow excuses for inaction on pokies and if they are serious about pokies reform they would embrace the Greens' $1 bets proposal.

“The Baillieu government's broken promise takes the cake in a long line of broken election commitments - it is just a hollow excuse for inaction on pokies reform,” said Colleen Hartland, Victorian Greens spokesperson for Gambling.

Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that Labor and the Coalition are reaping the benefits from problem gamblers.

“Clubs have made a lot of money from problem gamblers and now we know that the Opposition and Government have too,” said Senator Di Natale.

“Clubs and hotels donated $1.85 million last year to the Coalition and Labor parties, while simultaneously campaigning against pokies reform.

Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that the Government must release their advice about the cost of the Greens’ $1 bet option.

“The PM’s primary justification for not supporting the Greens’ $1 bet proposal is the cost, which she claims comes in at $1.5 billion.

“The $1.5 billion price tag is completely at odds with the analysis conducted by independent authorities such as The Australia Institute and Monash University academics, who cost the proposal at less than $350 million.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown, speaking to journalists in Hobart today, expressed his disappointment at the government's cave-in on pokies and outlined the Greens' legislation to be introduced when parliament resumes, opening up an avenue for reform and help for those addicted to gambling.

Senator Brown reminded the Prime Minister of his very clear message about her very public commitment to protect Tasmania's majestic forests.

Despite the collapse of the talks between the Prime Minister and Andrew Wilkie, the Greens will promote the $1 bet option for poker-machine reform, Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown said today.

Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that the Greens would introduce $1 bet legislation when Parliament resumes.

“The Government has made it clear that it doesn't have the courage to implement meaningful poker machine reforms. If they won't help problem gamblers, the Greens will,” said Senator Di Natale.

“I will introduce legislation when parliament resumes that would put a $1 limit on bets, a limit on jackpots and a $20 limit on the amount of money that can be loaded into machines at one time.

Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that a trial of mandatory pre-commitment was a gutless substitute for real action.

“The Government seems to be using a trial as a gutless substitute for real action on pokies in this term," said Senator Di Natale.

“If they are genuinely serious about getting real reform through the parliament then they need to explain why the Greens’ $1 bets proposal is off the table.

Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that the proposal of $1 bet limits has become a test of the Prime Minister’s leadership.

Previously the Government has indicated that cost of implementation was a reason not to introduce $1 bet limits but a new report from the Australia Institute has exposed Clubs Australia figures as baseless.