Pokies fail to push people's buttons

Queensland government's annual revenue from poker machines has dropped, possibly for the first time in history.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser, who delivered his third state budget yesterday, pointed to the "stunning" $30 million drop in gaming machine revenue as evidence of the tough times people faced.

The Bligh government announced modest measures to ease the pressure on seniors and motorists amid community anger over the rising cost of living, but interest groups and the state opposition dismissed the initiatives as a drop in the ocean.

Budget papers show the government's total revenue from gambling taxes and levies rose from $922 million in 2008/09 to about $933 million this financial year.

However, the pokie tax take dropped from $548 million to about $518 million over the same period.

It is believed to be the first ever drop in year-on-year gaming machine tax revenue.

"I think this reflects the pressure that households are under," Mr Fraser said.

Electricity prices, water prices, council rates, motorway tolls and vehicle registration fees have all risen in recent years, while the global financial crisis put pressure on employers to curb pay rises.

Premier Anna Bligh yesterday unveiled a $26 boost to the electricity rebate for pensioners and seniors, along with a $24 cut to the compulsory third-party insurance fee on car registration bills.

"For those people feeling financial pressure, every little bit counts," she said.

But motoring group RACQ said the $24 saved from the compulsory third-party insurance was a "backhander" for motorists paying high car registration fees.

"It comes as a result of very high increases in other state government charges and fees over the past 12 months," RACQ executive officer Lynda Schekoske said.

"Tolls are going up, traffic improvement fees are going up, drivers' licence fees are going up."

She said motorists would make up their own mind.

Queensland Council of Social Service president Karyn Walsh said the budget measures would go only a small way to help people struggling with a suite of price rises.

"The combination of rent, electricity, water and food prices, transport - a lot of people are finding it hard to match income to their expenses," she said.

"They're small rebates [but] we're very glad there's something [in the budget]."

The state opposition, which is due to give its formal budget reply speech tomorrow, has already accused the government of ignoring cost-of-living pressures.

Opposition treasury spokesman Tim Nicholls said the compulsory-third party insurance cut "would barely buy a milkshake and sandwich for most people".

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Queensland, meanwhile, welcomed a move to extend the electricity rebate to people on low incomes with conditions who require air-conditioners to maintain a constant temperature.

The Queensland government expects to record a $1.745 billion deficit next financial year as it plans another big-spending infrastructure program in the name of protecting jobs.

The budget is expected to remain in the red until 2015/16, a year earlier than expected on the back of improvements in the state's economic forecasts.

Published in Brisbane Times on 9th June.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/pokies-fail-to-push-peoples-but...