Greens and Australian Christian Lobby form ‘unholy alliance’ to shut down late-night pokies in NSW

October 5, 2025

Greens and Australian Christian Lobby form ‘unholy alliance’ to shut down late-night pokies in NSW

Exclusive: The political foes have set aside decades of animosity to ‘work constructively on gambling reform’ after both describing the NSW government’s actions as insufficient

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Limited action on gambling reform and record levels of harm have prompted “an unholy alliance” between the Greens and the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), which has pledged to rally support for the progressive party’s legislation.

The offer of support came shortly after NSW Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann announced a bill to force the closure of all poker machine venues from 2am to 10am and remove exemptions for more than 650 pubs and clubs that can operate within this period.

The exemptions – which have been provided to about 20% poker machine venues – were criticised by the government’s independent expert panel advising on policy reform. A subsequent audit report also called for them to be reviewed.

The ACL wrote to Faehrmann’s office with congratulations last month and an offer to support the bill however it could. A spokesperson told the Greens they were horrified that some venues were able to operate when gambling harm was highest.

While initially being told to wait until November for more information, the ACL pressed for as much detail as possible so it could rally support behind the bill in a public campaign later this month. It also flagged the involvement of churches and prayer groups.

The ACL’s chief executive officer, Michelle Pearse, said the lobby group would not drop its criticism of the Greens on other policy differences, but would work constructively on gambling reform.

“We support good bills wherever they come from and we applaud the Greens for addressing this important social issue,” Pearse said.