Page 2961 - Week 10 - Friday, 8 October 2021
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In summary, the 10 gaming-related commitments listed in the parliamentary agreement are to establish a community clubs ministerial advisory council; reduce the number of gaming machines to 3,500 by 1 July 2025; establish a cross-venue self-exclusion scheme; match or exceed harm reduction reforms commenced in New South Wales, such as cashless gaming; introduce $5 bet limits and $100 load-up limits; facilitate planning and other processes to allow clubs to diversify to other revenue streams; provide a just transition for workers in the community clubs and gambling industry; conduct a review into non-potable water costs for high-intensity club users; establish a five-year $5 million building energy efficiency upgrade fund; and support clubs to become heat and smoke refuges for local communities.
Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to report that the government has already delivered on the first commitment set out in the parliamentary agreement, relating to the establishment of the ministerial advisory council. The council was formed in May this year. It comprises 14 members, including me as the Minister for Gaming, Ms Tara Cheyne MLA as the Minister for Business and Better Regulation, representatives from community clubs, gambling harm reduction organisations, unions, young people, and government representatives. Presently, the council meets monthly to discuss the gaming commitments in the parliamentary agreement and other issues affecting the ACT clubs industry.
I am also pleased to inform members that work is progressing to establish a four-year, $5 million fund to assist community clubs to upgrade their buildings’ energy efficiency. While the design of the program is still in development, it is envisaged that products eligible for upgrade and installation under the fund could include battery storage systems, electric heating and cooling systems, efficient electric stovetops and refrigeration. The fund may assist clubs to reduce their operating costs and may also provide alternative revenue streams through solar PV feed-in tariffs that may offset other costs.
The government released a discussion paper in March 2021 as part of the broader review of non-potable water costs for high-intensity club users. The aim of the review is to allow clubs to maintain operations while not requiring cross-subsidisation from other ACT water users. The review’s recommendations will guide the government delivery of this commitment. In the interim, the non-potable water rebate is available to high-intensity club users for non-potable water charges incurred.
Members will be aware that Canberra enjoyed significant rainfalls this year, which has resulted in clubs requiring less non-potable water than expected in 2020-21. As a result, the rebate has been extended by six months, to enable remaining funds to continue to be used for the rebate until these are exhausted. The rebate covers the use of surface water, groundwater and recycled water from the lower Molonglo water quality control centre and stormwater from the inner north reticulation network.
The government is actively progressing the introduction of the harm reduction measures of $5 bet limits and $100 load-up limits. An external expert has been engaged to prepare advice about the technical and cost issues associated with implementing $5 bet and $100 load-up limits in ACT gaming machines.
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