Consequence of poker tax

Re: October 7 Forum letter from Mike Hudson "Tax is based on ability to pay".

Mr Hudson is right.

Clubs can afford to pay the tax if, that is, they raise their food and beverage prices by 30-40 per cent; increase entertainment costs by 100 per cent and charge for all of those activities which are now provided free of charge.

They can afford it if they dispense with all the loss-making activities such as providing free of charge meeting venues for groups like the RSL Ladies Auxiliary, schools, charities, government departments and hospitals; dispense with loss-making entertainment and activities such as bingo, indoor bowls, darts and snooker.

They can afford it if they change the average return on poker machines to equate with that which is returned to the player by hotels; reduce the size of their clubs which will mean they can no longer be used as emergency evacuation centres in times of bushfires and other crises.

They can afford it if they increase the costs for a game of golf or lawn bowls to between $30 and $60.

Do all of these things and what's left?

In essence, a pub that makes entry difficult.

Funny that it was the ALP in 1954 that licensed clubs for gaming so that they could achieve all the above benefits and facilities.

Credit must go to the Local Member Ms Marie Andrews who, along with the majority of backbenchers in Government, voted for the "economic elite" to review the tax.

The economic rationalists will not support a review, because they can afford what the average club-goer cannot.

Peter Hale, General manager, Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club Ltd, October 13