A NSW mayor’s push against pokies should serve as inspiration for federal Labor to make stronger moves against the harms of gambling addiction

When the New South Wales Labor faithful gather for their annual state conference this weekend, more than a few will be looking to the leadership of Darcy Byrne. The mayor of the Inner West Council, Byrne is helping spearhead a push for Labor to remove at least 45,000 poker machines from venues around the state over the next decade.

With a growing profile and fans well beyond Sydney, Byrne is widely expected to contest the Labor-held seat of Grayndler whenever Anthony Albanese leaves federal parliament.