The key political figure said yesterday he was pleased to hear that south-west residents had backed “harm minimalisation” measures on poker machines and hoped councillors would respond in kind.

Mr Wilkie supported the Gillard government last year in its bid to retain power after the August federal election produced a hung parliament.

He told The Standard yesterday that Labor’s minority government had less than 10 months to put gambling limits on pokies or he would withdraw his support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

“That view has remained unchanged,” Mr Wilkie said.

“It’s just about the most important goal I have set myself for this term and the government seems genuine in its work towards these reforms.

“Julia Gillard personally, (Community Services Minister) Jenny Macklin personally support effective reform and don’t just see it as honouring an agreement.

“Only Tasmania has supported these reforms, every other state and territory oppose it, so it gives you a sense of the challenge we are facing (and that the reforms) would not occur unless under these quite remarkable political circumstances.”

Moyne Shire councillors voted unanimously last night to receive its Electronic Gaming Machine Survey results and proceed with the development of a formal council policy in relation to poker machine venues. Cr Ken Gale abstained from the council vote.

The Standard reported yesterday the Moyne Shire residents gave an emphatic thumbs down to poker machines being wheeled into their municipality.

Close to 1500 of the 1723 council survey respondents — 90 per cent — noted their opposition to hotels and clubs within the shire allowing automated gambling on their premises.

Mr Wilkie said grass-roots research showed most Australians supported “harm minimalisation” measures being imbedded in poker machines such as automated time or betting limits.

Moyne survey respondents overwhelmingly supported “slow gamble” initiatives such as limiting losses to $200 per person per hour.

“It’s a great example of the community standing up and I applaud their work,” he said.