Tasmanian Government tones down language on state's gaming licenses

In an interview on Sunday, Treasurer Peter Gutwein made multiple references to the Government outlining its policy "position" on whether to extend Federal Group's exclusive gambling monopoly beyond 2023.

He said a position would be outlined within the next six weeks, before inviting stakeholders to have a say.

On Monday, he repeatedly used a different term. "We'll lay down some policy markers, we will go into that process with those policy markers," he said. “Obviously we will listen to the feedback that comes through that process."

Mr Gutwein left the door open to changing the Government's standpoint after the public consultation period.

"So I think it's important that we lay we down policy markers, but then we can have those tested through a process where we can receive feedback on those ideas," he said.

It would be a fantastic demonstration of Tasmania's forward thinking, to remove pokies from pubs and clubs in our local communities.

He said the Government would also be taking advice from Treasury modelling on the future of the state's gaming licenses.

Labor Leader Bryan Green said he was unimpressed by the Government's decision to release its standpoint prior to public consultation.

"This Government, they are spinning themselves that much, in the end they are making a decision then putting it out to consultation," he said. "It's just completely the wrong way around." Mr Green also said he wanted the Treasury advice made public.