Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said that there was still a long way to go in the fight for meaningful pokies reform.

“The Government’s credibility is on the line if it dodges this important opportunity for reform,” said Senator Di Natale.

“It should get behind the Greens’ $1 bets proposal because it’s the cheapest, simplest and most effective reform with the best chance of passing the parliament.

“But if mandatory pre-commitment remains the government’s preferred option, the Greens will support it.

 Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said that the government should not use a trial to delay pokies reform, which is another reason to embrace $1 bets.

“There is an opportunity to do something to curb the scourge of problem gambling right now – we don’t know if that opportunity will exist in the next term or under a future government,” said Senator Di Natale.

The Prime Minister has further reneged on her promise to protect our majestic forests, today aping Forestry Tasmania's lines on the breach of her August commitment, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown told reporters in Hobart today.

Senator Brown also discussed the move towards the Greens' $1 bet option - the simplest, cheapest and most effective way to tackle addiction to the pokies.

Richard spoke on the ABC's AM radio program this morning, putting forward his view as Greens spokesperson for Gambling that $1 maximum bets should be considered the best choice by the Government as they enter discussions with independent MP Andrew Wilkie this week on pokies reform.

"I think that there is a real risk that the policy proposal put forward by Andrew Wilkie won't get up but look, that's not the primary reason to support the $1 bet option.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown says all roads in the debate over poker machines are now leading top the Greens' one dollar bet limit option.

"Nick Xenophon's call for this option to be backed in today's press, and Andrew Wilkie's willingness to revert back to one dollar bet limits, and the fact that it is a much cheaper option for clubs to implement, points to this being the  point of agreement for everybody who wants to take real action on the damage to society of compulsive gambling.

Greens’ spokesperson for gambling and health, Senator Richard Di Natale, has released a discussion paper that advocates combining harm minimisation measures with treating problem gambling like any other addiction.

“Limiting bets to $1 per spin remains the best way to minimise the harm of pokies addiction,” said Senator Di Natale.

Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, has called on the government to pursue $1 bet limits on the back of Coalition survey results.

“The results from Malcolm Turnbull’s pokies survey are in, and it is a big win for the Greens proposal of $1 bets,” said Senator Di Natale.

67% of respondents supported $1 bet limits in comparison to 56% for mandatory pre-commitment and 44% for voluntary pre-commitment.

Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, said today that the likelihood of pokies reform has firmed with an extra vote for the government on the floor of the house.

“We are one vote closer to meaningful pokies reform with the option of $1 bet limits continuing to pick up speed,” said Senator Di Natale. 

“The Prime Minister and Minister Macklin have said repeatedly that they were not pursuing reform just because of the agreement with Andrew Wilkie, but because pokies addiction is destroying Australian families.

Greens’ spokesperson for gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, has welcomed comments from Malcolm Turnbull in support of the Greens’ proposal on pokies reform.

“It’s pleasing to see that Mr Turnbull is appearing to favour the Greens’ $1 bet policy,” said Senator Di Natale.

“Mr Turnbull has joined a growing group in Parliament, including Tony Windsor and Nick Xenophon, who recognise that a $1 bet limit is the most straight forward, cheapest and most effective option for reform.