In a new foray into the social policy area, the Prime Minister, John Howard, has announced a federal government attack on problem gambling.
Following his opposition to safe heroin injecting rooms, particularly those announced by the new Victorian government, Howard has adopted a moral line on the spread of gambling, especially poker machines, and attacked State government reliance on gambling revenue.
His proposals have met with opposition from the States, with Tasmanian Premier, Jim Bacon, telling Howard not to meddle in areas of State responsibility.
