(Spoiler alert: This month’s Clark Matters is a bit grim, which helps to explain why so many people are so grumpy with governments and some of the political parties nowadays.)
Gambling “reform” farce
The Federal Government’s gambling legislation, rammed through Parliament this month and touted as “the strongest reforms this country has ever seen”, is a source of great shame for both the Government and Opposition.
The major parties settled on a stitch-up. The minor tweaks and piecemeal amendments that they agreed to won’t address the wave of gambling harm that is washing over this country. It won’t protect children. It won’t break the nexus between gambling and sport. It won’t stop the suicides. It’ll just protect the broadcasters, the sporting codes and the gambling companies.
Frankly the Government, and the Opposition, should be more honest about who their legislation protects. It’s not the person who’s lost a loved one to suicide over gambling addiction; it’s not the people who had $8 million stolen by their financial adviser; and it’s not the kids watching the footy at 8.31pm, the very minute this legislation decides they’re fair game to be groomed by a bombardment of gambling advertising.
Cut to Private Health Insurance rebate
I oppose the reduction in the Private Health Insurance rebate for people aged over 65, not least because it’s at odds with independent advice given to previous governments about the negative effects of such a reform. Reducing the rebate for older Australians will force many policy holders to drop their insurance altogether, leading to increased pressure on the public health system which is already at breaking point.
Moreover, I’m deeply concerned that the Federal Government is attempting to play politics with this reform by pitting younger Australians against older Australians. Yes, older Australians do tend to have higher overall net wealth, but they are also disproportionately living on low and fixed incomes. Indeed, many older Australians need to make day-to-day sacrifices to maintain their private health insurance and meet growing health costs as they age.
It’s way beyond time we better looked after older Australians, starting with a more senior and experienced member of the Government filling the position of Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, and all government policy proposals being scrutinised for their impact on older Australians.
Tasmanian arts funding
The Tasmanian arts sector is in shock at the news that funding for Screen Tasmania will fall by $300,000 in 2027-28, and that arts organisations, including Screen Tasmania, will now need to compete with heritage programs for funding from the pooled “creative industries fund”.
Tasmanian creatives are some of the best in the country, and we have unique stories to tell. That’s why Screen Tasmania has been so successful to date in fostering creative investment and projects in Tasmania; including wildly successful shows such as Alone Australia, Rosehaven, and The Survivors.
It’s sadly the Tasmanian Government’s MO at the moment, swingeing cuts for everything but their vanity stadium project. Although it’s not just the State Government that’s letting the arts sector down, because it’s clear that as a nation we don’t value the creative industries enough and think they can keep going on just the smell of an oily rag.
Yours sincerely
