Revealed: McGauran's 15yo gaming customers and how Victorian Labor MPs represent the biggest pokies venues
July 27, 2010
Greetings for the first time since our anti-pokies Senate tilt was unveiled last Friday. The Age carried the following story today about the pokies operator conservative Victorian voters are being offered up as the marginal third Coalition candidate in the Senate:
Senator's pub probed
The gaming watchdog will investigate the presence of two teens on the gaming floor of an Altona North hotel part-owned by Liberal Senator Julia McGauran, after a complaint by rival Senate candidate Stephen Mayne.
Mr Mayne, an independent, said that two 15-year old girls in the gaming area at The Millers Inn last week. Senator McGauran is a part-owner of the pub, at which punters lost more than $12 million last financial year.
A spokesman for anti-gambling independent Senator Nick Xenophon, cited as a witness, said the girls were on the gaming floor for 10 minutes. Senator McGauran said it was 2.5 minutes.
Opening preferences negotiations with the Liberals
Preference negotiations are getting down to the wire and I've just sent the following email to Liberal state director Tony Nutt:
From: Stephen [mailto:stephen@maynereport.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 27 July 2010 12:01 PM
To: tony nutt (Liberal state director)
Subject: preferences
Hi Tony, it's Stephen Mayne here – an independent anti-pokies candidate running in the Senate in Victoria.
I've spoken to the other five mainstream registered parties (ALP, Greens, DLP, Family First and Democrats) about preferences but haven't heard from anyone on the Liberal side yet.
I explained to Labor's third Senate candidate Anthony Thow that I'm seeking firm commitments for action to be taken against poker machines, given Australians are the world biggest gamblers per capita and poker machines contribute a majority of the losses and an estimated 85% of all problem gambling cases.
Obviously it is very disappointing that the ALP itself runs four pokies venues in Canberra and Mr Thow is seeking answers on the question of whether a public commitment could be made for the ALP to recommence the disposal process which was aborted last year.
As for the Liberal Party position, it is obviously very disappointing that the family of your third Liberal senate candidate, Julian McGauran, owns a pokies venue in Melbourne's lower socio-economic western suburbs where voters lose $12 million a year.
If Mr McGauran would publically commit that his family will sell its investment in the Millers Inn and the ALP fails to commit to exit the 4 venues it runs, then I will direct my preferences to the Coalition ahead of the ALP, which could be pivotal in determining who wins the sixth and final spot in the Senate.
Obviously, the other key area would be commitments from Tony Abbott to implement far more of the Productivity Commission recommendations on gambling than what Kevin Rudd announced in June.
This would be lined up against any change announced by Julia Gillard. On the whole, in recent years the Coalition has tended to be stronger on combating the pokies than Labor and it was pleasing to see Tasmanian Liberal leader Will Hodgmen take a commitment to a $1 maximum bet to the recent state election.
If Tony Abbott made a commitment to the $1 maximum bet, I would almost certainly overlook Mr McGauran's pokies interest and support him ahead of the Labor Party, assuming that Julia Gillard didn't do likewise.
I look forward to hearing your position on these issues before determining final preference allocations later this week. My best contact number is 0412 106 241.
Regards, Stephen Mayne
Media coverage of the anti-pokies campaign so far
On top of The Age's story about the complaint against the McGauran venue in today's paper, there's been a few other media encounters about the anti-pokies tilt which have rolled out as follows over the past 5 days:
John Durie on pokies and population tilt
The Australian, July 23, 2010
Mayne to stand as no-pokies candidate
SMH, AAP, July 23, 2010
774 ABC Melbourne - interview with Jon Faine at 8.55am, July 23. Read transcript.
ABC News Radio - interview with Steve Chase at 5.50pm, July 23.
Stephen Mayne to run in federal election
Manningham Leader, Danielle Crowe, July 23, 2010.
Mayne sets up a pokies policy preference auction
Crikey, July 23, 2010
PM's electorate has top pokies loss
Jason Dowling, The Age, July 24
How Federal Labor MPs represent the biggest pokies venues
That last story in The Age on Saturday was based on the new figures released on Friday by the Victorian Commission for Gaming Regulation which revealed the annual losses at every pokies venue in Victoria over the 2009-10 financial year.
I've just spoken to the Brimbank Leader about the shocking $134 million that was lost in that local council area last year. Much of Brimbank overlaps Bill Shorten's Federal seat of Maribyrnong which the list below reveals has 3 of the 20 biggest pokies venues in Victoria.
Every suburban or regional paper across Victoria should be crawling over these shameful figures released by the VCGR and seeking comment from their local Federal MP in the context of this federal campaign where Julia Gillard is still yet to declare her policy hand on the pokies.
Anyway, here is the full list of the 66 Victorian venues which fleeced punters of more than $10 million in 2009-10:
1. Werribee Plaza Tavern: Cnr Derrimut And Heath Roads Werribee. Tabcorp venue with 80 machines. Punters lost $19 million in 2008-09 and $19.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Wyndham. Federal electorate Lalor represented by Labor's Julia Gillard.
2. Plough Hotel: Childs Road, Mill Park. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $20.2 million in 2008-09 and $18.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Whittlesea. Federal electorate Scullin represented by Labor's Harry Jenkins.
3. Epping Plaza Hotel: Epping Plaza Shopping Centre, High Street, Epping. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $17.5million in 2008-09 and $18.8 million in 2009-10. Local council Whittlesea. Federal electorate Scullin represented by Labor's Harry Jenkins.
4. Skyways Taverner: 113 Mathews Avenue Airport West. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $19.8 million in 2008-09 and $18.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Mooney Valley. Federal electorate Maribyrnong represented by Labor's Bill Shorten.
5. Keysborough Hotel: Cnr Corrigan & Cheltenham Rds Keysborough. Tabcorp venue with 89 machines. Punters lost $17.8 million in 2008-09 and $18.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Dandenong. Federal electorate Hotham represented by Labor's Simon Crean.
6. Bundoora Taverner: 49 Plenty Road, Bundoora. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines as of of June 2009. Punters lost $17.9 million in 2008-09 and $18 million in 2009-10. Local council Whittlesea. Federal electorate Scullin represented by Labor's Harry Jenkins.
7. Seaford Taverner: Cnr Seaford & Frankston Dandenong Roads Seaford. Tabcorp venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $19.2 million in 2008-09 and $18 million in 2009-10. Local council Frankston. Federal electorate Dunkley represented by Liberal Bruce Bilson.
8. Excelsior Hotel: 82 Mahoney's Road, Thomastown. Tabcorp venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $17.2 million in 2008-09 and $17.3 million in 2009-10. Local council Whittlesea. Federal electorate Scullin represented by Labor's Harry Jenkins.
9. Deer Park Hotel: 760 Ballarat Road Deer Park. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $16.7 million in 2008-09 and $16.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Brimbank. Federal electorate Gorton represented by Labor's Brendan O'Connor.
10. Kealba Hotel: Cnr Sunshine Avenue & Main Road East Kealba. Tabcorp venue with 86 machines. Punters lost $15.9 million in 2008-09 and $16.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Brimbank. Federal electorate Maribyrnong represented by Labor's Bill Shorten.
11. Taylors Lakes Family Hotel: Lot 1357 Keilor-Melton Road Taylors Lakes. Tattersall's venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $16.9 million in 2008-09 and $16.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Brimbank. Federal electorate Gorton represented by Labor's Brendan O'Connor.
12. Sandbelt Club Hotel: 630-646 South Road Moorabbin. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $16.6 million in 2008-09 and $16 million in 2009-10. Local council Kingston. Federal electorate Hotham represented by Labor's Simon Crean.
13. Sandown Racecourse - Highways Tabaret: 591-659 Princes Hwy Springvale . Tabcorp venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $16.6 million in 2008-09 and $16 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Dandenong. Federal electorate Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
14. Fountain Gate Taverner: Magid Drive Narre Warren. Tabcorp venue with 95 machines. Punters lost $16.1 million in 2008-09 and $15.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate Holt represented by Labor's Anthony Byrne.
15. Doncaster Inn Hotel: 855 Doncaster Road Doncaster. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $17.6 million in 2008-09 and $15.8 million in 2009-10. Local council Manningham. Federal electorate Menzies represented by Liberal Kevin Andrews.
16. Hallam Taverner: 241 Princes Hwy Hallam. Tabcorp venue with 92 machines. Punters lost $16.1 million in 2008-09 and $15.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate Holt represented by Labor's Anthony Byrne.
17. Shoppingtown Hotel: 19 Williamsons Road Doncaster. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $16.1 million in 2008-09 and $15.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Manningham. Federal electorate Menzies represented by Liberal Kevin Andrews.
18. Westend Market Hotel: 47 Mcintyre Road Sunshine. Tattersall's venue with 88 machines. Punters lost $16 million in 2008-09 and $15.3 million in 2009-10. Local council Brimbank. Federal electorate Maribyrnong represented by Labor's Bill Shorten.
19. Dorset Gardens: Hotel 35 Dorset Road Croydon. Tabcorp venue with 97 machines. Punters lost $14.5 million in 2008-09 and $14.8 million in 2009-10. Local council Maroondah. Federal electorate Deakin represented by Labor's Mike Symons.
20. Watergardens Hotel: 431 Kings Road Taylors Lakes. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $14.9 million in 2008-09 and $14.7 million in 2009-10. Local council Brimbank. Federal electorate Gorton represented by Labor's Brendan O'Connor.
21. Roxburgh Park Hotel: 225 Somerton Road, Coolaroo. Tabcorp venue with 71 machines. Punters lost $15.2 million in 2008-09 and $14.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Hume. Federal electorate Calwell represented by Labor's Maria Vamvakinou.
22. Burvale Hotel: Cnr Springvale Road and Burwood highway, Nunawading. Tattersall's venue with 103 machines. Punters lost $15.1 million in 2008-09 and $14.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Whitehorse. Federal electorate Chisholm represented by Labor's Anna Burke.
23. Prince Mark Hotel: Cnr Power Road & Princes Highway Doveton. Tattersall's venue with 88 machines. Punters lost $16.2 million in 2008-09 and $14.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate Holt represented by Labor's Anthony Byrne.
24. Rosstown Hotel: 1084 Dandenong Road Carnegie. Tabcorp venue with 103 machines. Punters lost $14.7 million in 2008-09 and $14 million in 2009-10. Local council Glen Eira. Federal electorate Goldstein represented by Liberal Andrew Robb.
25. Village Green Hotel: Cnr Springvale & Ferntree Gully Road Mulgrave. Tabcorp venue with 79 machines. Punters lost $14 million in 2008-09 and $14.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Monash. Federal electorate Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
26. Mercure Grand Hotel On Swanston: 195 Swanston Street Melbourne. Tabcorp venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $13.8 million in 2008-09 and $13.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Melbourne. Federal electorate Melbourne represented by Labor's Lindsay Tanner.
27. Stamford Hotel: Cnr Stud & Wellington Road Rowville. Tattersall's venue with 103 machines. Punters lost $15.3 million in 2008-09 and $13.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Knox City. Federal electorate Aston represented by Liberal Chris Pearce.
28. Matthew Flinders Taverner: 655 - 667 Warrigal Road Chadstone. Tattersall's venue with 75 machines. Punters lost $13.4 million in 2008-09 and $13.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Monash. Federal electorate Chisholm represented by Labor's Anna Burke.
29. Bayswater Hotel: 780 Mountain Highway Bayswater. Tattersall's venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $13.3 million in 2008-09 and $12.9million in 2009-10. Local council Knox City. Federal electorate Aston represented by Liberal Chris Pearce.
30. Boundary Taverner: 726 Centre Road Bentleigh East. Tabcorp venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $12.2 million in 2008-09 and $12.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Glen Eira. Federal electorate Hotham represented by Labor's Simon Crean.
31. Caulfield Racecourse Tabaret: Station Street Caulfield. Tabcorp venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $13 million in 2008-09 and $12.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Glen Eira. Federal electorate Melbourne Ports represented by Labor's Michael Danby.
32. Dingley International Hotel: 334 Boundary Road Dingley. Tabcorp venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $12.7 million in 2008-09 and $12.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Kingston. Federal electorate Hotham represented by Labor's Simon Crean.
33. Zagame's Caulfield Club Hotel: 25 Derby Street Caulfield East. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $12.4 million in 2008-09 and $12.3 million in 2009-10. Local council Glen Eira. Federal electorate Melbourne Ports represented by Labor's Michael Danby.
34. Bourke Hill's Welcome Stranger: 128 Bourke Street Melbourne. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $12.5 million in 2008-09 and $12.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Melbourne. Federal electorate Melbourne represented by Labor's Lindsay Tanner.
35. Waltzing Matilda Hotel: 856 - 868 Heatherton Road Springvale. Tabcorp venue with 80 machines. Punters lost $12.1 million in 2008-09 and $12.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Dandenong. Federal electorate Hotham represented by Labor's Simon Crean.
36. Old England Hotel: 459 Lower Heidelberg Road, Heidelberg. Tattersall's venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $13.2 million in 2008-09 and $12.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Banyule. Federal electorate Jagajaga represented by Labor's Jenny Macklin.
37. The Millers Inn Hotel: 204 Millers Road Altona North. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $13.2 million in 2008-09 and $12.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Hobsons Bay. Federal electorate Gellibrand represented by Labor's Nicola Roxon.
38. Castello's Berwick Hotel: 248 Clyde Road Berwick. Tabcorp venue with 85 machines. Punters lost $12 million in 2008-09 and $12 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate La Trobe represented by Liberal Jason Wood.
39. Mac's Hotel (Melton): 322-332 High Street Melton. Tabcorp venue with 82 machines. Punters lost $13.2 million in 2008-09 and $12 million in 2009-10. Local council Melton Shire. Federal electorate Lalor represented by Labor's Julia Gillard.
40. Vegas At Waverley Gardens: Shop 122, Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre Mulgrave. Tattersall's venue with 75 machines. Punters lost $12.6 million in 2008-09 and $12 million in 2009-10. Local council Monash. Federal electorate Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
41. Hampton Park Tavern: 71 Hallam Road Hampton Park. Tattersall's venue with 73 machines. Punters lost $12.5 million in 2008-09 and $11.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate Holt represented by Labor's Anthony Byrne.
42. Sandown Park Hotel: Cnr Princes Highway & Corrigan Road Noble Park. Tattersall's venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $11.8 million in 2008-09 and $11.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Dandenong. Federal electorate Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
43. Commercial Taverner: 111 Watton Street Werribee. Tattersall's venue with 75 machines. Punters lost $12.3 million in 2008-09 and $11.7 million in 2009-10. Local council Wyndham. Federal electorate Lalor represented by Labor's Julia Gillard.
44. Motor Club Hotel: 38-56 High Street Cranbourne. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $12.5 million in 2008-09 and $11.7 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate Holt represented by Labor's Anthony Byrne.
45. Ivanhoe Hotel: 120 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $11.9 million in 2008-09 and $11.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Banyule. Federal electorate Jagajaga represented by Labor's Jenny Macklin.
46. Mountain View Hotel: 186 Springvale Road Glen Waverley. Tattersall's venue with 85 machines. Punters lost $11.7 million in 2008-09 and $11.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Monash. Federal electorate of Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
47. The Chase Hotel: Tenancy 304 Level 3, 270 Canterbury Road Forest Hill. Tabcorp venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $11.6 million in 2008-09 and $11.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Whitehorse. Federal electorate of Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
48. Rosebud Hotel: 1099 Nepean Highway Rosebud Vic. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $12.2 million in 2008-09 and $11.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Mornington Peninsula Shire. Federal electorate of Fllinders represented by Liberal Greg Hunt.
49. Cramers Hotel: 1 Cramer Street, Preston. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $11.9 million in 2008-09 and $11.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Darebin. Federal electorate of Batman represented by Labor's Martin Ferguson.
50. Westside Taverner: 3-5 Fitzgerald Road Laverton North. Tabcorp venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $11.8 million in 2008-09 and $11.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Wyndham. Federal electorate of Lalor represented by Labor's Julia Gillard.
51. Ashley Hotel: 226 Ballarat Road Braybrook. Tabcorp venue with 50 machines. Punters lost $11.1 million in 2008-09 and $11.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Maribyrnong. Federal electorate of Maribyrnong represented by Labor's Bill Shorten.
52. Sandown Greyhounds Tabaret: Lightwood Road Springvale. Tabcorp venue with 93 machines. Punters lost $12.4 million in 2008-09 and $11.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Dandenong. Federal electorate of Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
53. Blackburn Hotel: 11 Whitehorse Road, Blackburn. Tattersall's venue with 102 machines. Punters lost $11.8 million in 2008-09 and $10.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Whitehorse. Federal electorate Chisholm represented by Labor's Anna Burke.
54. First & Last Hotel: 1141 Sydney Road, Fawkner. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $11.6 million in 2008-09 and $10.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Moreland. Federal electorate of Wills represented by Labor's Kelvin Thompson.
55. Edwardes Lake Hotel: 257 Edwardes Street Reservoir. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $12.2 million in 2008-09 and $10.7 million in 2009-10. Local council Darebin. Federal electorate Batman represented by Labor's Martin Ferguson.
56. Summerhill Hotel: 12/830 Plenty Road, Reservoir. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $11.9 million in 2008-09 and $10.7million in 2009-10. Local council Darebin. Federal electorate Batman represented by Labor's Martin Ferguson.
57. Grand Hotel: 124 Main Road Mornington. Tabcorp venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $10.8 million in 2008-09 and $10.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Mornington Peninsula Shire. Federal electorate Dunkley represented by Liberal Bruce Bilson.
58. Lower Plenty Hotel: 2-8 Main Road, Lower Plenty. Tabcorp venue with 85 machines. Punters lost $10.4 million in 2008-09 and $10.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Banyule. Federal electorate Jaga Jaga represented by Labor's Jenny Macklin.
59. Manhattan Hotel: Cnr Canterbury & Heatherdale Roads Ringwood. Tattersall's venue with 103 machines. Punters lost $10.3 million in 2008-09 and $10.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Maroondah. Federal electorate Deakin represented by Labor's Mike Symon.
60. Moreland Hotel: 882-888 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Tabcorp venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $10.2 million in 2008-09 and $10.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Moreland. Federal electorate Wills represented by Labor's Kelvin Thompson.
61. Olympic Hotel: 31 Albert Street, Preston. Tabcorp venue with 80 machines. Punters lost $10.3 million in 2008-09 and $10.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Darebin. Federal electorate Batman represented by Labor's Martin Ferguson.
62. Mulgrave Country Club: Cnr Jells And Wellington Rd Wheelers Hill. Tabcorp venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $10.1 million in 2008-09 and $10.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Monash. Federal electorate of Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
63. Norlane Hotel: 2-6 Princes Highway Norlane. Tabcorp venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $11.4 million in 2008-09 and $10.3 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Geelong. Federal electorate of Corio represented by Labor's Richard Marles.
64. Sands Taverner: Cnr Hall & Cadles Roads Carrum Downs. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $11.1 million in 2008-09 and $10.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Frankston. Federal electorate of Isaacs represented by Labor's Mark Dreyfus.
65. Yarraville Club Cricket Club: Corner Ballarat & Rosamond Roads Maidstone. Tabcorp venue with 76 machines. Punters lost $10.1 million in 2008-09 and $10.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Maribyrnong. Federal electorate Gellibrand represented by Labor's Nicola Roxon.
66. Grovedale Hotel: 236-258 Surfcoast Highway Grovedale. Tabcorp venue with 80 machines. Punters lost $10.3 million in 2008-09 and $10 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Geelong. Federal electorate Corio represented by Labor's Richard Marles.
Manningham to approve draft gaming policy and debate better councillor expenses disclosure
I'm an independent on Manningham City Council in Melbourne's eastern suburbs and we'll be debating our draft new gambling policy at tonight's public council meeting. Check out item 11.2 on the very bulky agenda.
In other areas as Manningham we've been making heavy weather of fairly elementary governance improvements over recent months which will hopefully be dealt with tonight.
The first is some basic disclosure of councillor expenses. After considering the officer report, I've wound back the push to disclose all expense claims like some councils do, but will instead argue for a disclosure model along the following lines appearing in the annual report each year:
I'll be very surprised if a majority of councillors argue against something as innocuous as this. One alternative being talked up would only only disclose an overall figure for the 9 councillors compared against the overall budget for councillor expenses.
This would provide no accountability whatsoever for an individual councillor who goes on conference spending sprees racking up large bills in 5 star hotels.
And once you start putting budget figures in the annual report, the pressure would then be on to increase the budget if anyone got criticised for going over the budget.
A far better option would be to keep it simple and just disclose how much each councillor costs the ratepayers in the annual report each year. At the moment, we're telling our 120,000 citizens diddly squat. As the British political class discovered with the parliamentary rorts scandal last year, non-disclosure can allow a culture of rorting to emerge.
The other governance debate tonight involves so-called "ward grants" where councillors can just dish out cash to community groups. The Ombudsman and Auditor General have recommended against such programs after scandals such as Brimbank and the vast majority of Victorian councils have now shut them down and introduced a more rigorous, transparent and professional approach to community grants involving council officers, committees, applications and the like.
Tracking former federal government staffers
We're still tracking former political staffers in Canberra since Bob Hawke's election in 1983. Updates rely on emails to Stephen@maynereport.com or use of the anonymous tips box and here's an example of some fresh information:
There have been a few other updates so check out the three lists below and send through any corrections or feedback:
Tracking the former Hawke Keating staffers
Where Howard staffers finished up
Where Rudd government staffers went
Cartoonist Mark Cornwall is having a fabulous time drawing our two federal political leaders. Check out this collection of his best Gillard and Abbott efforts which include these latest offerings:
Australia's woeful foreign ownership performance
We've continued to crank up the foreign ownership lists after some more major sales of the Australian farm which are so necessary to fund our huge current account deficit.
This extraordinarily long list of 250 foreign companies generating revenues exceeding $200 million a year out of Australia has been tidied up, whilst our much shorter list of only 80 Australian-based companies which generate more than $200 million a year offshore, whether through exports or foreign-owned operations.
Cornwall on Workchoices
Donate to help keep our Senate tilt
If you fancy giving us some encouragement as we crank up this anti-pokies Senate tilt, just click on click on the image below:
The big debt issues continue under Prime Minister Gillard
It was very strange to hear Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens make the following recently: "There is virtually no net public debt in the country at all in contrast to much of the developed world."
Joe Hockey was busy claiming net debt was $90 billion on The 7.30 Report last week when the Federal Government's own debt management website puts the gross debt figure at $151 billion.
Truth be known, the biggest public debt problem in Australia lies with the states because they are all structurally in deficit and have constitutionally narrow revenue bases such that they'll never be able to finance the estimated $100 billion-plus of infrastructure needed to fix bottle necks in our major cities. This also explains why they're addicted to the pokies - it's a rare state government taxing power.
Having surrendered much of the projected revenue RSPT revenue in the compromise deal with BHP, Rio and Xstrata that created a rather benign MRRT, Prime Minister Gillard will soon discover she too is locked into a structural budget deficit that will require ongoing substantial increases in public borrowings.
If anyone needs assistance on the debt questions, this list tracks all bond and treasury note issues by the Labor Government since it was elected in November 2007. The latest federal bond issues are as follows and you'll note that interest rates are still north of the 4% assumed in last year's budget papers:
Friday, July 23, 2010: $800m tender of 6 year bonds expiring in June 2016 were sold for an average yield of 5.01% and was over-subscribed 2.9 times.
Cornwall on climate change
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With more than 1700 followers on Twitter, we are regularly dropping out the observation from the federal election campaign, including preference negotiation meetings, forthcoming media and other developments. Click on the image above to get the latest updates from all our activity.
11.36am July 27: Just interviewed by Brimbank Leader local paper - hopped into Bill Shorten given his seat has 3 of the 20 biggest pokies venues in Victoria.
10.21am July 27: The Age ran brief today about my complaint to VCGR that 2 15yo girls spent 10 mins on gaming floor of Senator McGauran's pub last Friday.
8.53pm July 26: Am on ABC24 and Australia Television with Jim Middleton from 10.30pm slamming both sides for appalling anti-immigration position.
7.26pm July 26: You can imagine Richo lecturing and hectoring ATO investigators and Swiss bankers after that heavy defence of Penny Wong on gay marriage. web
1.47pm July 26: Bunnings sale up 10% in 09-10 and Wesfarmers reveals Coles up 5%. Masterchef boost? Shares up 2%, no liquor breakdown. Kmart, Target flat.
1.39pm July 26: Doing interview with ABC TV's international Australia Service fronted by Jim Middleton slamming both sides for anti-immigration stance.
11.33am July 26: Off for face-to-face preference negotiations with Family First and DLP. Be interesting to see if minor parties can stick together pre-majors.
9.37am July 26: Everyone slagging lame winless debate. 0-0 draw. Press Club should insist on another one on last Sunday of campaign to cover missed issues.
12.27pm July 25: Have emailed 4 journos on debate panel tonight suggesting they ask Gillard if she's comfortable with ALP running 4 pokies venues in Canberra.
10.13am July 25: Just back from weekend at RACV Inverlock with board. Attended whale watching session by $3.5bn desal plant protestors. Paula saw a whale.
9.27pm July 23: Interview on ABC News Radio with Steve Chase discussing the senate tilt and the anti-pokies platform. http://tiny.cc/zet0z
7.05pm July 23: Gillard's local Woolies pub in Werribee no 1 pokies loss venue again in 09-10 at $20m. Manningham's big 2 down to $15m. McGauran's at $12m.
6.13pm July 23: VCGR released final pokies losses for 09-10 in Vic today. $2.6bn lost, down from stimulated $2.7bn previously. 5% jump in Gillard's seat.
5pm July 23: Doing NewsRadio drive at 5.50pm. Crikey story lays out more detail of campaign background and pitch. Check out: http://www.maynereport.com/
2.45pm July 23: Just had a preference discussion with Labor's third Senate candidate Anthony Thow at RACV. Laid it on the line over pokies. DLP now on phone
12.33pm July 23: Delighted with start to Senate tilt. Good reaction so far and Faine chat put pokies front and centre. Have just filed piece for Crikey.
10.27am July 23: Chatting with Jon Faine on 774 ABC Melbourne discussing my anti-pokies, pro-migrant Victorian senate tilt http://tiny.cc/4kbsx
9.11am July 23: Turn 41 today. Birthday treat is announcing anti-pokies and pro-migrant Senate tilt. See John Durie in The Oz: http://www.maynereport.com/
That's all for now.
Do ya best, Stephen Mayne
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Senator's pub probed
The gaming watchdog will investigate the presence of two teens on the gaming floor of an Altona North hotel part-owned by Liberal Senator Julia McGauran, after a complaint by rival Senate candidate Stephen Mayne.
Mr Mayne, an independent, said that two 15-year old girls in the gaming area at The Millers Inn last week. Senator McGauran is a part-owner of the pub, at which punters lost more than $12 million last financial year.
A spokesman for anti-gambling independent Senator Nick Xenophon, cited as a witness, said the girls were on the gaming floor for 10 minutes. Senator McGauran said it was 2.5 minutes.
Opening preferences negotiations with the Liberals
Preference negotiations are getting down to the wire and I've just sent the following email to Liberal state director Tony Nutt:
From: Stephen [mailto:stephen@maynereport.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 27 July 2010 12:01 PM
To: tony nutt (Liberal state director)
Subject: preferences
Hi Tony, it's Stephen Mayne here – an independent anti-pokies candidate running in the Senate in Victoria.
I've spoken to the other five mainstream registered parties (ALP, Greens, DLP, Family First and Democrats) about preferences but haven't heard from anyone on the Liberal side yet.
I explained to Labor's third Senate candidate Anthony Thow that I'm seeking firm commitments for action to be taken against poker machines, given Australians are the world biggest gamblers per capita and poker machines contribute a majority of the losses and an estimated 85% of all problem gambling cases.
Obviously it is very disappointing that the ALP itself runs four pokies venues in Canberra and Mr Thow is seeking answers on the question of whether a public commitment could be made for the ALP to recommence the disposal process which was aborted last year.
As for the Liberal Party position, it is obviously very disappointing that the family of your third Liberal senate candidate, Julian McGauran, owns a pokies venue in Melbourne's lower socio-economic western suburbs where voters lose $12 million a year.
If Mr McGauran would publically commit that his family will sell its investment in the Millers Inn and the ALP fails to commit to exit the 4 venues it runs, then I will direct my preferences to the Coalition ahead of the ALP, which could be pivotal in determining who wins the sixth and final spot in the Senate.
Obviously, the other key area would be commitments from Tony Abbott to implement far more of the Productivity Commission recommendations on gambling than what Kevin Rudd announced in June.
This would be lined up against any change announced by Julia Gillard. On the whole, in recent years the Coalition has tended to be stronger on combating the pokies than Labor and it was pleasing to see Tasmanian Liberal leader Will Hodgmen take a commitment to a $1 maximum bet to the recent state election.
If Tony Abbott made a commitment to the $1 maximum bet, I would almost certainly overlook Mr McGauran's pokies interest and support him ahead of the Labor Party, assuming that Julia Gillard didn't do likewise.
I look forward to hearing your position on these issues before determining final preference allocations later this week. My best contact number is 0412 106 241.
Regards, Stephen Mayne
Media coverage of the anti-pokies campaign so far
On top of The Age's story about the complaint against the McGauran venue in today's paper, there's been a few other media encounters about the anti-pokies tilt which have rolled out as follows over the past 5 days:
John Durie on pokies and population tilt
The Australian, July 23, 2010
Mayne to stand as no-pokies candidate
SMH, AAP, July 23, 2010
774 ABC Melbourne - interview with Jon Faine at 8.55am, July 23. Read transcript.
ABC News Radio - interview with Steve Chase at 5.50pm, July 23.
Stephen Mayne to run in federal election
Manningham Leader, Danielle Crowe, July 23, 2010.
Mayne sets up a pokies policy preference auction
Crikey, July 23, 2010
PM's electorate has top pokies loss
Jason Dowling, The Age, July 24
How Federal Labor MPs represent the biggest pokies venues
That last story in The Age on Saturday was based on the new figures released on Friday by the Victorian Commission for Gaming Regulation which revealed the annual losses at every pokies venue in Victoria over the 2009-10 financial year.
If ever you need evidence that the $2.6 billion lost is the most regressive tax going around and concentrated in poorer areas represented by Labor MPs, just take a scroll through this list tracking the 66 Victorian venues which cracked $10 million of pokies revenue in 2009-10. There are only 9 from Liberals seats. Amazing!
I've just spoken to the Brimbank Leader about the shocking $134 million that was lost in that local council area last year. Much of Brimbank overlaps Bill Shorten's Federal seat of Maribyrnong which the list below reveals has 3 of the 20 biggest pokies venues in Victoria.
Every suburban or regional paper across Victoria should be crawling over these shameful figures released by the VCGR and seeking comment from their local Federal MP in the context of this federal campaign where Julia Gillard is still yet to declare her policy hand on the pokies.
Anyway, here is the full list of the 66 Victorian venues which fleeced punters of more than $10 million in 2009-10:
1. Werribee Plaza Tavern: Cnr Derrimut And Heath Roads Werribee. Tabcorp venue with 80 machines. Punters lost $19 million in 2008-09 and $19.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Wyndham. Federal electorate Lalor represented by Labor's Julia Gillard.
2. Plough Hotel: Childs Road, Mill Park. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $20.2 million in 2008-09 and $18.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Whittlesea. Federal electorate Scullin represented by Labor's Harry Jenkins.
3. Epping Plaza Hotel: Epping Plaza Shopping Centre, High Street, Epping. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $17.5million in 2008-09 and $18.8 million in 2009-10. Local council Whittlesea. Federal electorate Scullin represented by Labor's Harry Jenkins.
4. Skyways Taverner: 113 Mathews Avenue Airport West. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $19.8 million in 2008-09 and $18.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Mooney Valley. Federal electorate Maribyrnong represented by Labor's Bill Shorten.
5. Keysborough Hotel: Cnr Corrigan & Cheltenham Rds Keysborough. Tabcorp venue with 89 machines. Punters lost $17.8 million in 2008-09 and $18.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Dandenong. Federal electorate Hotham represented by Labor's Simon Crean.
6. Bundoora Taverner: 49 Plenty Road, Bundoora. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines as of of June 2009. Punters lost $17.9 million in 2008-09 and $18 million in 2009-10. Local council Whittlesea. Federal electorate Scullin represented by Labor's Harry Jenkins.
7. Seaford Taverner: Cnr Seaford & Frankston Dandenong Roads Seaford. Tabcorp venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $19.2 million in 2008-09 and $18 million in 2009-10. Local council Frankston. Federal electorate Dunkley represented by Liberal Bruce Bilson.
8. Excelsior Hotel: 82 Mahoney's Road, Thomastown. Tabcorp venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $17.2 million in 2008-09 and $17.3 million in 2009-10. Local council Whittlesea. Federal electorate Scullin represented by Labor's Harry Jenkins.
9. Deer Park Hotel: 760 Ballarat Road Deer Park. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $16.7 million in 2008-09 and $16.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Brimbank. Federal electorate Gorton represented by Labor's Brendan O'Connor.
10. Kealba Hotel: Cnr Sunshine Avenue & Main Road East Kealba. Tabcorp venue with 86 machines. Punters lost $15.9 million in 2008-09 and $16.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Brimbank. Federal electorate Maribyrnong represented by Labor's Bill Shorten.
11. Taylors Lakes Family Hotel: Lot 1357 Keilor-Melton Road Taylors Lakes. Tattersall's venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $16.9 million in 2008-09 and $16.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Brimbank. Federal electorate Gorton represented by Labor's Brendan O'Connor.
12. Sandbelt Club Hotel: 630-646 South Road Moorabbin. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $16.6 million in 2008-09 and $16 million in 2009-10. Local council Kingston. Federal electorate Hotham represented by Labor's Simon Crean.
13. Sandown Racecourse - Highways Tabaret: 591-659 Princes Hwy Springvale . Tabcorp venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $16.6 million in 2008-09 and $16 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Dandenong. Federal electorate Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
14. Fountain Gate Taverner: Magid Drive Narre Warren. Tabcorp venue with 95 machines. Punters lost $16.1 million in 2008-09 and $15.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate Holt represented by Labor's Anthony Byrne.
15. Doncaster Inn Hotel: 855 Doncaster Road Doncaster. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $17.6 million in 2008-09 and $15.8 million in 2009-10. Local council Manningham. Federal electorate Menzies represented by Liberal Kevin Andrews.
16. Hallam Taverner: 241 Princes Hwy Hallam. Tabcorp venue with 92 machines. Punters lost $16.1 million in 2008-09 and $15.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate Holt represented by Labor's Anthony Byrne.
17. Shoppingtown Hotel: 19 Williamsons Road Doncaster. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $16.1 million in 2008-09 and $15.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Manningham. Federal electorate Menzies represented by Liberal Kevin Andrews.
18. Westend Market Hotel: 47 Mcintyre Road Sunshine. Tattersall's venue with 88 machines. Punters lost $16 million in 2008-09 and $15.3 million in 2009-10. Local council Brimbank. Federal electorate Maribyrnong represented by Labor's Bill Shorten.
19. Dorset Gardens: Hotel 35 Dorset Road Croydon. Tabcorp venue with 97 machines. Punters lost $14.5 million in 2008-09 and $14.8 million in 2009-10. Local council Maroondah. Federal electorate Deakin represented by Labor's Mike Symons.
20. Watergardens Hotel: 431 Kings Road Taylors Lakes. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $14.9 million in 2008-09 and $14.7 million in 2009-10. Local council Brimbank. Federal electorate Gorton represented by Labor's Brendan O'Connor.
21. Roxburgh Park Hotel: 225 Somerton Road, Coolaroo. Tabcorp venue with 71 machines. Punters lost $15.2 million in 2008-09 and $14.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Hume. Federal electorate Calwell represented by Labor's Maria Vamvakinou.
22. Burvale Hotel: Cnr Springvale Road and Burwood highway, Nunawading. Tattersall's venue with 103 machines. Punters lost $15.1 million in 2008-09 and $14.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Whitehorse. Federal electorate Chisholm represented by Labor's Anna Burke.
23. Prince Mark Hotel: Cnr Power Road & Princes Highway Doveton. Tattersall's venue with 88 machines. Punters lost $16.2 million in 2008-09 and $14.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate Holt represented by Labor's Anthony Byrne.
24. Rosstown Hotel: 1084 Dandenong Road Carnegie. Tabcorp venue with 103 machines. Punters lost $14.7 million in 2008-09 and $14 million in 2009-10. Local council Glen Eira. Federal electorate Goldstein represented by Liberal Andrew Robb.
25. Village Green Hotel: Cnr Springvale & Ferntree Gully Road Mulgrave. Tabcorp venue with 79 machines. Punters lost $14 million in 2008-09 and $14.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Monash. Federal electorate Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
26. Mercure Grand Hotel On Swanston: 195 Swanston Street Melbourne. Tabcorp venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $13.8 million in 2008-09 and $13.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Melbourne. Federal electorate Melbourne represented by Labor's Lindsay Tanner.
27. Stamford Hotel: Cnr Stud & Wellington Road Rowville. Tattersall's venue with 103 machines. Punters lost $15.3 million in 2008-09 and $13.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Knox City. Federal electorate Aston represented by Liberal Chris Pearce.
28. Matthew Flinders Taverner: 655 - 667 Warrigal Road Chadstone. Tattersall's venue with 75 machines. Punters lost $13.4 million in 2008-09 and $13.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Monash. Federal electorate Chisholm represented by Labor's Anna Burke.
29. Bayswater Hotel: 780 Mountain Highway Bayswater. Tattersall's venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $13.3 million in 2008-09 and $12.9million in 2009-10. Local council Knox City. Federal electorate Aston represented by Liberal Chris Pearce.
30. Boundary Taverner: 726 Centre Road Bentleigh East. Tabcorp venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $12.2 million in 2008-09 and $12.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Glen Eira. Federal electorate Hotham represented by Labor's Simon Crean.
31. Caulfield Racecourse Tabaret: Station Street Caulfield. Tabcorp venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $13 million in 2008-09 and $12.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Glen Eira. Federal electorate Melbourne Ports represented by Labor's Michael Danby.
32. Dingley International Hotel: 334 Boundary Road Dingley. Tabcorp venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $12.7 million in 2008-09 and $12.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Kingston. Federal electorate Hotham represented by Labor's Simon Crean.
33. Zagame's Caulfield Club Hotel: 25 Derby Street Caulfield East. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $12.4 million in 2008-09 and $12.3 million in 2009-10. Local council Glen Eira. Federal electorate Melbourne Ports represented by Labor's Michael Danby.
34. Bourke Hill's Welcome Stranger: 128 Bourke Street Melbourne. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $12.5 million in 2008-09 and $12.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Melbourne. Federal electorate Melbourne represented by Labor's Lindsay Tanner.
35. Waltzing Matilda Hotel: 856 - 868 Heatherton Road Springvale. Tabcorp venue with 80 machines. Punters lost $12.1 million in 2008-09 and $12.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Dandenong. Federal electorate Hotham represented by Labor's Simon Crean.
36. Old England Hotel: 459 Lower Heidelberg Road, Heidelberg. Tattersall's venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $13.2 million in 2008-09 and $12.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Banyule. Federal electorate Jagajaga represented by Labor's Jenny Macklin.
37. The Millers Inn Hotel: 204 Millers Road Altona North. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $13.2 million in 2008-09 and $12.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Hobsons Bay. Federal electorate Gellibrand represented by Labor's Nicola Roxon.
38. Castello's Berwick Hotel: 248 Clyde Road Berwick. Tabcorp venue with 85 machines. Punters lost $12 million in 2008-09 and $12 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate La Trobe represented by Liberal Jason Wood.
39. Mac's Hotel (Melton): 322-332 High Street Melton. Tabcorp venue with 82 machines. Punters lost $13.2 million in 2008-09 and $12 million in 2009-10. Local council Melton Shire. Federal electorate Lalor represented by Labor's Julia Gillard.
40. Vegas At Waverley Gardens: Shop 122, Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre Mulgrave. Tattersall's venue with 75 machines. Punters lost $12.6 million in 2008-09 and $12 million in 2009-10. Local council Monash. Federal electorate Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
41. Hampton Park Tavern: 71 Hallam Road Hampton Park. Tattersall's venue with 73 machines. Punters lost $12.5 million in 2008-09 and $11.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate Holt represented by Labor's Anthony Byrne.
42. Sandown Park Hotel: Cnr Princes Highway & Corrigan Road Noble Park. Tattersall's venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $11.8 million in 2008-09 and $11.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Dandenong. Federal electorate Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
43. Commercial Taverner: 111 Watton Street Werribee. Tattersall's venue with 75 machines. Punters lost $12.3 million in 2008-09 and $11.7 million in 2009-10. Local council Wyndham. Federal electorate Lalor represented by Labor's Julia Gillard.
44. Motor Club Hotel: 38-56 High Street Cranbourne. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $12.5 million in 2008-09 and $11.7 million in 2009-10. Local council Casey. Federal electorate Holt represented by Labor's Anthony Byrne.
45. Ivanhoe Hotel: 120 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $11.9 million in 2008-09 and $11.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Banyule. Federal electorate Jagajaga represented by Labor's Jenny Macklin.
46. Mountain View Hotel: 186 Springvale Road Glen Waverley. Tattersall's venue with 85 machines. Punters lost $11.7 million in 2008-09 and $11.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Monash. Federal electorate of Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
47. The Chase Hotel: Tenancy 304 Level 3, 270 Canterbury Road Forest Hill. Tabcorp venue with 90 machines. Punters lost $11.6 million in 2008-09 and $11.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Whitehorse. Federal electorate of Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
48. Rosebud Hotel: 1099 Nepean Highway Rosebud Vic. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $12.2 million in 2008-09 and $11.5 million in 2009-10. Local council Mornington Peninsula Shire. Federal electorate of Fllinders represented by Liberal Greg Hunt.
49. Cramers Hotel: 1 Cramer Street, Preston. Tattersall's venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $11.9 million in 2008-09 and $11.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Darebin. Federal electorate of Batman represented by Labor's Martin Ferguson.
50. Westside Taverner: 3-5 Fitzgerald Road Laverton North. Tabcorp venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $11.8 million in 2008-09 and $11.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Wyndham. Federal electorate of Lalor represented by Labor's Julia Gillard.
51. Ashley Hotel: 226 Ballarat Road Braybrook. Tabcorp venue with 50 machines. Punters lost $11.1 million in 2008-09 and $11.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Maribyrnong. Federal electorate of Maribyrnong represented by Labor's Bill Shorten.
52. Sandown Greyhounds Tabaret: Lightwood Road Springvale. Tabcorp venue with 93 machines. Punters lost $12.4 million in 2008-09 and $11.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Dandenong. Federal electorate of Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
53. Blackburn Hotel: 11 Whitehorse Road, Blackburn. Tattersall's venue with 102 machines. Punters lost $11.8 million in 2008-09 and $10.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Whitehorse. Federal electorate Chisholm represented by Labor's Anna Burke.
54. First & Last Hotel: 1141 Sydney Road, Fawkner. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $11.6 million in 2008-09 and $10.9 million in 2009-10. Local council Moreland. Federal electorate of Wills represented by Labor's Kelvin Thompson.
55. Edwardes Lake Hotel: 257 Edwardes Street Reservoir. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $12.2 million in 2008-09 and $10.7 million in 2009-10. Local council Darebin. Federal electorate Batman represented by Labor's Martin Ferguson.
56. Summerhill Hotel: 12/830 Plenty Road, Reservoir. Tabcorp venue with 100 machines. Punters lost $11.9 million in 2008-09 and $10.7million in 2009-10. Local council Darebin. Federal electorate Batman represented by Labor's Martin Ferguson.
57. Grand Hotel: 124 Main Road Mornington. Tabcorp venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $10.8 million in 2008-09 and $10.6 million in 2009-10. Local council Mornington Peninsula Shire. Federal electorate Dunkley represented by Liberal Bruce Bilson.
58. Lower Plenty Hotel: 2-8 Main Road, Lower Plenty. Tabcorp venue with 85 machines. Punters lost $10.4 million in 2008-09 and $10.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Banyule. Federal electorate Jaga Jaga represented by Labor's Jenny Macklin.
59. Manhattan Hotel: Cnr Canterbury & Heatherdale Roads Ringwood. Tattersall's venue with 103 machines. Punters lost $10.3 million in 2008-09 and $10.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Maroondah. Federal electorate Deakin represented by Labor's Mike Symon.
60. Moreland Hotel: 882-888 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Tabcorp venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $10.2 million in 2008-09 and $10.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Moreland. Federal electorate Wills represented by Labor's Kelvin Thompson.
61. Olympic Hotel: 31 Albert Street, Preston. Tabcorp venue with 80 machines. Punters lost $10.3 million in 2008-09 and $10.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Darebin. Federal electorate Batman represented by Labor's Martin Ferguson.
62. Mulgrave Country Club: Cnr Jells And Wellington Rd Wheelers Hill. Tabcorp venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $10.1 million in 2008-09 and $10.4 million in 2009-10. Local council Monash. Federal electorate of Bruce represented by Labor's Alan Griffin.
63. Norlane Hotel: 2-6 Princes Highway Norlane. Tabcorp venue with 105 machines. Punters lost $11.4 million in 2008-09 and $10.3 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Geelong. Federal electorate of Corio represented by Labor's Richard Marles.
64. Sands Taverner: Cnr Hall & Cadles Roads Carrum Downs. Tattersall's venue with 70 machines. Punters lost $11.1 million in 2008-09 and $10.2 million in 2009-10. Local council Frankston. Federal electorate of Isaacs represented by Labor's Mark Dreyfus.
65. Yarraville Club Cricket Club: Corner Ballarat & Rosamond Roads Maidstone. Tabcorp venue with 76 machines. Punters lost $10.1 million in 2008-09 and $10.1 million in 2009-10. Local council Maribyrnong. Federal electorate Gellibrand represented by Labor's Nicola Roxon.
66. Grovedale Hotel: 236-258 Surfcoast Highway Grovedale. Tabcorp venue with 80 machines. Punters lost $10.3 million in 2008-09 and $10 million in 2009-10. Local council Greater Geelong. Federal electorate Corio represented by Labor's Richard Marles.
Manningham to approve draft gaming policy and debate better councillor expenses disclosure
I'm an independent on Manningham City Council in Melbourne's eastern suburbs and we'll be debating our draft new gambling policy at tonight's public council meeting. Check out item 11.2 on the very bulky agenda.
It's a good document worked up by the officers which has been well supported by all the councillors and should sail through tonight with minimal fuss.
In other areas as Manningham we've been making heavy weather of fairly elementary governance improvements over recent months which will hopefully be dealt with tonight.
The first is some basic disclosure of councillor expenses. After considering the officer report, I've wound back the push to disclose all expense claims like some councils do, but will instead argue for a disclosure model along the following lines appearing in the annual report each year:
Cr Stephen Mayne: $22,000 in salary and $10,000 in expense claims. Total cost to ratepayers: $32,000.
I'll be very surprised if a majority of councillors argue against something as innocuous as this. One alternative being talked up would only only disclose an overall figure for the 9 councillors compared against the overall budget for councillor expenses.
This would provide no accountability whatsoever for an individual councillor who goes on conference spending sprees racking up large bills in 5 star hotels.
And once you start putting budget figures in the annual report, the pressure would then be on to increase the budget if anyone got criticised for going over the budget.
A far better option would be to keep it simple and just disclose how much each councillor costs the ratepayers in the annual report each year. At the moment, we're telling our 120,000 citizens diddly squat. As the British political class discovered with the parliamentary rorts scandal last year, non-disclosure can allow a culture of rorting to emerge.
The other governance debate tonight involves so-called "ward grants" where councillors can just dish out cash to community groups. The Ombudsman and Auditor General have recommended against such programs after scandals such as Brimbank and the vast majority of Victorian councils have now shut them down and introduced a more rigorous, transparent and professional approach to community grants involving council officers, committees, applications and the like.
Here's hoping we can get with the program tonight although it appears it won't be possible to completely eliminate ward grants. The bigger the cut, the better, I say.
Tracking former federal government staffers
We're still tracking former political staffers in Canberra since Bob Hawke's election in 1983. Updates rely on emails to Stephen@maynereport.com or use of the anonymous tips box and here's an example of some fresh information:
There have been a few other updates so check out the three lists below and send through any corrections or feedback:
Tracking the former Hawke Keating staffers
Where Howard staffers finished up
Where Rudd government staffers went
Cornwall having fun with Abbott and Gillard
Cartoonist Mark Cornwall is having a fabulous time drawing our two federal political leaders. Check out this collection of his best Gillard and Abbott efforts which include these latest offerings:
Australia's woeful foreign ownership performance
We've continued to crank up the foreign ownership lists after some more major sales of the Australian farm which are so necessary to fund our huge current account deficit.
This extraordinarily long list of 250 foreign companies generating revenues exceeding $200 million a year out of Australia has been tidied up, whilst our much shorter list of only 80 Australian-based companies which generate more than $200 million a year offshore, whether through exports or foreign-owned operations.
Cornwall on Workchoices
Donate to help keep our Senate tilt
If you fancy giving us some encouragement as we crank up this anti-pokies Senate tilt, just click on click on the image below:
The big debt issues continue under Prime Minister Gillard
It was very strange to hear Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens make the following recently: "There is virtually no net public debt in the country at all in contrast to much of the developed world."
Joe Hockey was busy claiming net debt was $90 billion on The 7.30 Report last week when the Federal Government's own debt management website puts the gross debt figure at $151 billion.
Truth be known, the biggest public debt problem in Australia lies with the states because they are all structurally in deficit and have constitutionally narrow revenue bases such that they'll never be able to finance the estimated $100 billion-plus of infrastructure needed to fix bottle necks in our major cities. This also explains why they're addicted to the pokies - it's a rare state government taxing power.
Having surrendered much of the projected revenue RSPT revenue in the compromise deal with BHP, Rio and Xstrata that created a rather benign MRRT, Prime Minister Gillard will soon discover she too is locked into a structural budget deficit that will require ongoing substantial increases in public borrowings.
If anyone needs assistance on the debt questions, this list tracks all bond and treasury note issues by the Labor Government since it was elected in November 2007. The latest federal bond issues are as follows and you'll note that interest rates are still north of the 4% assumed in last year's budget papers:
Friday, July 23, 2010: $800m tender of 6 year bonds expiring in June 2016 were sold for an average yield of 5.01% and was over-subscribed 2.9 times.
Cornwall on climate change
Sign up for our Tweets
With more than 1700 followers on Twitter, we are regularly dropping out the observation from the federal election campaign, including preference negotiation meetings, forthcoming media and other developments. Click on the image above to get the latest updates from all our activity.
11.36am July 27: Just interviewed by Brimbank Leader local paper - hopped into Bill Shorten given his seat has 3 of the 20 biggest pokies venues in Victoria.
10.21am July 27: The Age ran brief today about my complaint to VCGR that 2 15yo girls spent 10 mins on gaming floor of Senator McGauran's pub last Friday.
8.53pm July 26: Am on ABC24 and Australia Television with Jim Middleton from 10.30pm slamming both sides for appalling anti-immigration position.
7.26pm July 26: You can imagine Richo lecturing and hectoring ATO investigators and Swiss bankers after that heavy defence of Penny Wong on gay marriage. web
1.47pm July 26: Bunnings sale up 10% in 09-10 and Wesfarmers reveals Coles up 5%. Masterchef boost? Shares up 2%, no liquor breakdown. Kmart, Target flat.
1.39pm July 26: Doing interview with ABC TV's international Australia Service fronted by Jim Middleton slamming both sides for anti-immigration stance.
11.33am July 26: Off for face-to-face preference negotiations with Family First and DLP. Be interesting to see if minor parties can stick together pre-majors.
9.37am July 26: Everyone slagging lame winless debate. 0-0 draw. Press Club should insist on another one on last Sunday of campaign to cover missed issues.
12.27pm July 25: Have emailed 4 journos on debate panel tonight suggesting they ask Gillard if she's comfortable with ALP running 4 pokies venues in Canberra.
10.13am July 25: Just back from weekend at RACV Inverlock with board. Attended whale watching session by $3.5bn desal plant protestors. Paula saw a whale.
9.27pm July 23: Interview on ABC News Radio with Steve Chase discussing the senate tilt and the anti-pokies platform. http://tiny.cc/zet0z
7.05pm July 23: Gillard's local Woolies pub in Werribee no 1 pokies loss venue again in 09-10 at $20m. Manningham's big 2 down to $15m. McGauran's at $12m.
6.13pm July 23: VCGR released final pokies losses for 09-10 in Vic today. $2.6bn lost, down from stimulated $2.7bn previously. 5% jump in Gillard's seat.
5pm July 23: Doing NewsRadio drive at 5.50pm. Crikey story lays out more detail of campaign background and pitch. Check out: http://www.maynereport.com/
2.45pm July 23: Just had a preference discussion with Labor's third Senate candidate Anthony Thow at RACV. Laid it on the line over pokies. DLP now on phone
12.33pm July 23: Delighted with start to Senate tilt. Good reaction so far and Faine chat put pokies front and centre. Have just filed piece for Crikey.
10.27am July 23: Chatting with Jon Faine on 774 ABC Melbourne discussing my anti-pokies, pro-migrant Victorian senate tilt http://tiny.cc/4kbsx
9.11am July 23: Turn 41 today. Birthday treat is announcing anti-pokies and pro-migrant Senate tilt. See John Durie in The Oz: http://www.maynereport.com/
That's all for now.
Do ya best, Stephen Mayne
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