Page 2561 - Week 09 - Thursday, 8 August 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
recommended that, at the same time as the new Territory legislation is enacted, it would be sensible to make this extension. I am pleased to accept that advice and recommendation from Mr Cahill.
I anticipate that the Law Reform Commission will be generally supportive of the closed-circuit television evidence system and will recommend that it be made a permanent feature of the operation of courts in this Territory, perhaps with some finetuning of operational procedures. Once this present legislation is in place it will be a simple matter at a later date to amend it to remove the sunset clause to make it permanent in its operation, as well as to make any minor amendments which may be necessary or desirable following consideration of the Law Reform Commission's report. Mr Speaker, I present the explanatory memorandum for the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Collaery) adjourned.
GAMING MACHINE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (10.40): Mr Speaker, I present the Gaming Machine (Amendment) Bill 1991. I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
Mr Speaker, the Gaming Machine Act provides for the taxing and regulation of gaming machine operations in the Australian Capital Territory. Under the existing legislation the Minister responsible is required to determine the percentage payout which all gaming machines must return to the players. This return percentage is presently set at 87 per cent. Legislation was developed under the previous Government to give effect to an announcement that it made in April. My Government has examined the proposal and believes it appropriate that the legislation proceed, given the close consultation that has taken place with the industry.
The amendments contained in this Bill will allow individual licensees to choose the percentage payout rate applicable to their gaming machine operations. However, this discretion of licensees to set the return rate will be tempered by certain limitations designed to protect the rights of gaming machine players in the ACT. These conditions will require that the percentage payout rate be not less than the statutory minimum rate of 85 per cent, with no upper restriction. Further, all gaming machines of the same denomination and class operated by any one licensee will be required to be set at the same percentage payout rate within a tolerance of plus or minus one percentage point.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .