Monash Council’s Journey Preventing Harm from Gambling

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

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

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 Priority 1: Active & Health Monash Maximise the health of the community and assist in the prevention of chronic disease by promoting physical activity, healthy eating and creating healthy and inviting environments Priority 1.1: Physical Activity; Priority 1.2: Healthy Eating; Priority 1.3: Preventing Harm from Tobacco & Alcohol Priority 2: Engaged, Confident & Connected Monash Embrace a community that fosters diversity; where all people are given the same opportunity to lead healthy, socially engaged and fulfilling lives 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 Build neighbourhoods, cultures and organisations that are gender equitable and support a violence free community. We commit to fostering safe environments which promote community engagement, celebration of diverse cultures, and positive health and wellbeing Priority 3.1: Preventing Violence Against Women; Priority 3.2: Community Safety; Priority 3.3: Address Race-Based Discrimination Are these still our priorities moving forward from 2017-2021? This needs to be tested. Anecdotally are there any other areas we need to be focusing on?

Health Plan Priority

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.

Clayton CANVAS

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 Clayton CANVAS strives to promote supportive environments to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm amongst its diverse community. The program has also engaged with local short-term loan agencies, sporting clubs, and poker machine venues to address risk factors that may be associated with problem gambling. Clayton CANVAS is an initiative of Monash Council and is funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF) as part of their local prevention program across 15 health and community organisations across Victoria. Monash Council is the only local government to have been awarded a prevention grant. Monash Council was awarded $205,052 to deliver the Clayton CANVAS program between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015, and has since received a further $34,032 funding to continue until 1 December 2015.  Clayton CANVAS has recently been invited by VRGF to apply for a further 19 months funding to continue this community strengthening work in Clayton until June 2017.   Why Clayton? In 2013 Monash Council commissioned municipal-wide research titled ‘Impacts of Problem Gambling in the City of Monash’ which identified the suburb of Clayton as a hot spot for gambling-related harm in Monash.  Clayton has a very high density of poker machines per adult population, nearly twice the Victorian average and has been identified as the most disadvantaged suburb in Monash. More than $16 million was lost in the Clayton community across 4 venues in Clayton and Clayton South in the 2014/15 financial year

Alliance for Gambling Reform Foundation member 2016

2016/17 continued lead Council member of the AFGR

May 2016

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

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.

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 Councils respond to local health issues and priorities by developing goals and strategies to build a community in which people can achieve their optimum health and wellbeing. Monash Council plays an influential role in leading the way to fostering healthy environments where residents feel empowered to strive for positive health and wellbeing in all aspects of their lives.

Thank you for listening! Questions? Thank you for listening!