Canberra Gambling Reform Alliance Symposium

The Symposium will focus on the future of gambling reform in the ACT. Various advocates for gambling reform, experts on gambling harm and media organisations will be in attendance to hear from our invited speakers. 

The symposium will include: 

• Political panel including Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury (Greens), Dr Marissa Paterson MLA (Labor) and Senator David Pocock (Independent)

• Lessons from interstate (speakers from Anglicare Tasmania and Wesley Mission) 

Political Panel:

• Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury
• Dr Marisa Paterson MLA
• Senator David Pocock

About the Speakers: 

Mary Bennett (Anglicare Tasmania) 

Mary Bennett is the Coordinator of Anglicare Tasmania’s Social Action and Research Centre. With a background in economics and public policy, Mary is the author of What’s the Real Cost? and The poker machine card. Simple as. Before joining Anglicare, Mary was with the Tasmanian Government for over a decade, working in policy and management roles and has also worked for many years in private practice as a veterinarian. She is currently the President of the Tasmanian Branch of the Economic Society of Australia. 

Dr Kate da Costa (Wesley Mission)

Dr Kate da Costa is Campaigns Lead for Wesley Mission (NSW), concentrating on Wesley Mission’s advocacy for gambling harm minimisation associated with poker machines in NSW. The other areas of advocacy priority for Wesley Mission – housing and homelessness, and mental health and suicide prevention – are clearly all related social justice issues. Before her current position, Kate was the NSW Campaigner for the Alliance for Gambling Reform. 

 

Notes about the event:

• Please arrive at 9:15AM for a 9:30AM start.
• Morning tea and light refreshments will be provided.
• The event will be held in the Bugang Room at Denman Village Community Centre.