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Friday, 8 February 2008

The ACT opposition has accused the Stanhope government of being too reliant on poker machine revenue.

Shadow treasurer Brendan Smyth says he "continues to be disappointed" that no action has been taken to reduce the use of poker machines.

"Or to reduce the flow of funds from the Labor Club to the ACT Labor Party's coffers," he said.

"The chief minister is happy to devote either funds provided by clubs or taxpayers' funds to help deal with problem gambling but he is reluctant to cut off his own source of funds, which are derived in part from problem gamblers, to support his election campaign."

Mr Smyth said he questioned whether or not Mr Stanhope was serious about tackling problem gambling.

"The inconsistency of the chief minister on this issue is marked," he said.

"It is time that (he) realised how weak the position of the Labor Party in the ACT is on this issue."