Newsagents label NSW Lotteries sale a 'sell-out' | Northern Rivers News | Local News in Northern Rivers

NORTHERN Rivers newsagents are banding together to oppose the sale of the State Government’s NSW Lotteries licence, amid concerns a private operator could bleed them dry.

NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal last week announced the Government’s intention to offer a 30-year, exclusive licence for Lotteries products. The tender process is scheduled to start this year.

But local newsagents are worried and many are encouraging regular customers to sign a petition calling on the Government to conduct a thorough consultation process and a social impact study to ensure community newsagents were not left out in the cold.

Ballina News owner and NSW branch community member of the Australian Newsagents’ Federation,
Stuart Kilborn, said lottery tickets ensured a steady stream of customers into local newsagents.

“It’s a drawcard to get them into your shop,” Mr Kilborn said. “It’s just another thing that could take away from newsagencies.

“The reason behind the petition is to try and stop the NSW Government from selling off another asset.
A lot of people have already signed the petition.”

The sale is expected to raise more than $500 million for the Government, but the publicly-owned NSW Lotteries reportedly pays more than $350 million a year in duties, dividends and taxes already.

Newsagents Federation chief executive Anthony Matis said local newsagents might be squeezed out if a large company with a huge distribution network bought the licence.

“The amount of money that newsagents make from lotteries pays the bills, pays the rent,” he said.

“Any changes which impact the viability of the businesses of local newsagents will not only affect these small businesses and families who rely on them for a living, but also all of the other businesses who operate along side of them.”

The federation began running its petition last month and it closes on April 23.

The organisation already has thousands of signatures.

Ballina News alone had collected 156 as of yesterday.