Anzac Day is an important day of remembrance to commemorate those who served this country in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations and recognise their sacrifices for freedom and democracy. It is a reminder of the toll deployment has on service personnel and their families.

New South Wales has long closed non-essential services and shops until 1pm on Anzac Day to ensure people can attend dawn services. Last week the government introduced legislation to close shops for the whole day because of concerns that reopening them at 1pm prevents people attending other services and commercialises the holiday.

Returned personnel have high rates of emotional distress and post traumatic stress disorder because of traumatic experiences on deployment. Increasing evidence shows gambling problems compound their suffering, with suicide a particular problem.

There are 90,000 electronic gaming machines across New South Wales, putting veterans with gambling problems at significant risk. Attending a pub or club on Anzac Day should be a safe experience for diggers and I moved amendments to the government’s bill to close gambling rooms on Anzac Day when shops are closed – as they do in Queensland and Western Australia. Two-up of course would be permitted.

It is unconscionable that gambling is treated as an essential service – buying groceries on the day is banned but losing the grocery budget on poker machines is not. Unfortunately the gambling industry’s stranglehold on the government and opposition meant the major parties opposed my amendments. I welcomed strong support from the principled cross bench.

My speech: HERE