Monash Council’s Journey

1. Monash Council’s Journey Preventing Harm from Gambling

2. Early History • Monash in the top 5 LGA’s for EGM losses for a long time • Led to consistent leadership from the Crs and in particular Mayors of the day to strongly advocate on the impacts of gambling in the Monash community • Established a taskforce with industry, support services & community leaders • Strongly advocated during the establishment of regional caps • 2007-09 strongly opposed an increase of machines at the Mathew Flinders – a high performing venue in a disadvantaged area (unsuccessful) • Due to the adversarial nature of the taskforce it was disbanded

3. Early History cont... • 2011/12 • strongly opposed an increase of machines at L’Unico Hotel, Clayton – highest performing venue in Monash’s most vulnerable community - unsuccessful at the commission & VCAT • introduced differential rates on Gambling Venues • Development of Monash Responsible Gambling Strategy 2012 – 2015 • 2012/13 • Resilience to Harm from Gambling a key priority detailed in Monash’s in MPHWP2013-2017

5. Health Plan Priorities Priority 1: Active & Health Monash • Priority 1.1: Physical Activity • Priority 1.2: Healthy Eating • Priority 1.3: Preventing Harm from Tobacco & Alcohol Priority 2: Engaged, Confident & Connected Monash • Priority 2.1: Positive Mental Health • Priority 2.2: Resilience to Harm from Gambling • Priority 2.3: Social Inclusion and Fostering Diversity Priority 3: A Safe & Respectful Monash • Priority 3.1: Preventing Violence Against Women • Priority 3.2: Community Safety • Priority 3.3: Address Race-Based Discrimination

6. Health Plan Priority

7. History cont... • 2013 • undertook the study Monash Problem Gambling Research Project funded through differential rates • 2015 • initiated Redressing the Burden Campaign which then became Enough Pokies involving over 50+ councils – this campaign advocated for system reform, including the high concentration of EGM’s in vulnerable communities.

8. Clayton CANVAS

10. 2013 • municipal-wide research titled ‘Impacts of Problem Gambling in the City of Monash’ identified the suburb of Clayton as a hot spot for gambling-related harm • 2015 • successfully secured funding for the CANVAS project from the VRGF - as part of their local prevention program across 15 health and community organisations across Victoria

11. Alliance for Gambling Reform Foundation member 2016

12. 2016/17 continued lead Council member of the AFGR

13. May 2016

14. Gambling Policy Statement 2016-20 • Nine policy priorities policy priorities including: • oppose any relocation of existing Monash poker machines to disadvantaged areas within Monash • continue to advocate to the State Government to reform the Gambling Regulation Act so greater regulation and restrictions are placed on the industry • promote a range of non-gambling social, cultural and recreational opportunities to encourage people to make engaged, active and healthy lifestyle choices • disallow gambling activity, promotion or advertising in Council-owned facilities • refuse funding to community groups that meet in venues that have poker machines

15. Gambling Policy Consultation • Draft Public Health Approach to Gambling Policy Statement was released for public comment from 1 April – 28 April 2016. • Council received 42 submissions, with overwhelming support for Council’s strong stance in relation to: • Strengthening the community resilience to Gambling related harm • Advocacy; and • Leadership • A number of submissions received by Council were  heartfelt and courageous stories highlighting the real impact of the gambling industry on the Monash community.

16. Future Plans • 2017 VRGF Prevention Grant submission pending • 2017 – 2021 MPHWP – to include: • Priority 2.2: Building a Resilient Community in which Resilience to Harm from Gambling will continue to be a key area of focus for Monash

17. Questions? Thank you for listening!