ClubsACT says the Federal Government has ignored an offer to discuss a trial of pre-commitment poker machine technology in the territory.
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On May 11, ClubsACT chief executive Jeff House met an adviser to Minister for Families and Communities Services Jenny Macklin and expressed support for a trial in the ACT.
He said the Federal Government agreed to draw up a proposal for a trial which Mr House would take to his members.
However, Mr House has not yet seen the proposal and says further emails and phonecalls made to the minister's office have been ignored.
At a doorstop interview in Canberra on Monday, the minister said no clubs had expressed interest in being part of a trial.
Ms Macklin said, ''We need venues to be willing to put their hands up and say that they'll be part of a trial. So if we've got venues who are willing to be part of a trial the Government certainly is very happy to discuss it,'' she said.
''It really is in the court of the clubs and pubs to come forward with venues or a location where that would work.''
However, yesterday, a ministerial spokeswoman said Ms Macklin had not disclosed ClubsACT's interest in a trial because they had requested the meeting be kept secret.
''The Government has been clear that we are interested in a trial of mandatory pre-commitment,'' she said.
''We welcome ClubsACT's willingness to work with governments on this issue.''
The spokeswoman said no concrete proposal had been discussed with ClubsACT.
Mr House denied asking the minister's office to keep the matter secret.
''It is in her interest to paint the industry as opposed to any form of reform. Despite trying to get a response, I phoned twice and sent an email, it was very clear that the minister's office was not interested in continuing discussion. She has ignored this offer for political purposes.''
Mr House said his discussion with the ministerial adviser in May outlined various ways a trial could operate in the ACT.
He said compensation for clubs, cross-border issues and the length of a trial were all issues outlined in the meeting.
He said his offer for further discussion still stood.
A spokeswoman for ACT Gaming Minister Andrew Barr said Ms Macklin's office had been in contact with the ACT Government in regard to a trial.
Mr Barr was happy for a pre-commitment trial to take place in the ACT, but said it was up to the Federal Government and local industry to discuss the logistics.
''I was aware of the Commonwealth's interest in running a trial in the ACT and have no issue with this, but this is for clubs and the Commonwealth to determine the detail.''
Canberra Labor Club Group president Tony Luchetti had no objection to an ACT trial, but said clubs should be compensated.
The Productivity Commission originally recommended a trial.
A proposal for a trial of the pre-commitment technology was rejected by industry in Tasmania.