Page 1028 - Week 06 - Thursday, 27 July 1989
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It will provide increased tourism activity through the casino, hotel, cultural facilities and the close relationship to the National Convention Centre. It will provide substantial long-term employment, especially for the young, and it will focus renewed vitality in Canberra's main business centre, enhance the city by generation of increased life and activity and enhance the Civic Centre.
The select committee's report completely vindicates the Government's faith in the Civic Square project and confirms the previous findings of the social impact study team and previous House of Assembly select committees. The following broad conclusions of the committee's report should be noted and accepted by all those interested in the project. It is the committee's view that the benefits of the establishment of a casino in Canberra outweigh any adverse effects.
The committee concludes that the section 19 proposal, as outlined in the ACT Government's submission, is the most appropriate development for the site.
Mr Jensen: Who is going to pay for the theatre?
MR WHALAN: The committee accepts the analysis of the economic benefits in terms of land premium, employment and ongoing revenue implications. The committee is satisfied that the premium received for the land, together with the ongoing revenue benefit, can be used for the benefit of the Canberra community. The committee closely examined the evidence presented to it relating to organised and community crime and accepts that, provided regulatory assessment and enforcement procedures are in place, there is little likelihood of problem.
There is quite clearly no room for complacency, and the Government accepts the need for constant vigilance, particularly as it relates to the control of the casino. The ACT Government is committed to establishing the most comprehensive casino control and surveillance system in Australia. The ACT Casino Control Act of 1988 provides the basis for that system, and it will be continually monitored for its effectiveness and amended if required.
The Government accepts the committee's report in principle and undertakes to examine in detail all of the recommendations emanating from the report. There may be some cases where the practical implementation of some recommendations require a change. The Government will, of course, report to the Assembly on those matters.
The committee has asked the Government to ensure that sufficient funds are available to complete the community facilities. In this context I should quote specifically from the Government's submission to the inquiry. It said:
The extent to which these facilities can be established will depend on the premium of time for the commercial site and other budget priorities.
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