This is a letter I wrote to Michael Daley today, our local State Labour Party representative. I wrote it on your behalf, but even more on behalf of the values of the kingdom of Christ. I hope you approve. I would encourage those praying this week to pray for this matter.
Hello Michael,
We so appreciate your work for our community. We see barely a whisker of what you do, but appreciate your efforts. I particularly know the warmth and kindness of your office for people in the area in need of care and housing help. This seems a good time to thank you for the care your office provides, which we here would call ‘pastoral’. Thanks.
We are prompted to write and ask you to not stand with your present party position against proposed Poker Machine reforms.
This awful scourge on our community affects our community and our church communities. I could tell you stories that would raise the hairs on the back of your neck. I am sure you have heard more, and worse. I am convinced you have.
Many of the most poor and vulnerable members of our churches and wider community face the world’s most deceptive and extensive poor tax. A tax that is not legislated, but effected by the dynamics of addiction. As Ruth Park ( a great chronicler of Sydney’s poor) once wrote: ‘Oh God! Oh Maroubra!’
Just to remind you of facts that you already know:
That 20% of the world’s poker machines are in Australia, despite our tiny portion of global population.
That NSW has 30% more machines than QLD and VIC combined, and turns over 100% more per capita than any other state.
That the highest concentration of poker machines is greater in poorer LGA’s.
That the NSW Crime Commission has high concerns of systematic money laundering through poker machines, apart from its’ impact on the poor and the addicted.
We live among some very large and powerful clubs in our area. We appreciate that they are large community stakeholders, and no doubt exercise significant influence. We appreciate some of their impact on our community. For the many good things they do, this great harm damages their heart and ours. If our church ever becomes dependent on an income stream that is not healthy and fruitful, may we soon go out of business! As much as smaller clubs with reduced operations might shock our community – but imagine the benefit?
I am sharing this plea with my church, and with my colleagues in the area. We resort to political comment rarely, but where biblical clarity on a matter is matched by political currency, we will speak.
The biblical clarity for us is clear – we are to care for the poor (Matt 19:21, Luke 11:41, Luke 14:21, Galatians 2:10). We know you share this value.
The political currency is clear – these matters are before your party now. Please let it be clear that the grassroots of your constituency believe the present operations of poker machines in our area is a matter for community shame.
Thank you so much for listening to us. We will be praying for you, as we often do. And be assured, we really appreciate your work!
Rev Jim Crosweller,
St John’s, Maroubra