Page 2933 - Week 10 - Thursday, 15 August 1991
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Nevertheless, Mr Speaker, on the bulk of the Bill, I must admit that I am very grateful for other members' support of the Bill. The bottom line with this Bill is a better deal for people who play gaming machines in clubs. I think it is about time they had that better deal, because their counterparts, their colleagues in New South Wales, have had the advantage for quite some time.
Just briefly, in conclusion, Mr Speaker, I am surprised that so many members seem to have forgotten that at the time that Mr Collaery dealt with this Bill previously, in September of 1990, I attempted to move an amendment to increase the possible pay-out to players, and that amendment was lost. Now that the Bill before the house at present removes any upper limit, I am surprised that it has the unanimous support of members opposite, when my previous attempt to increase the pay-out to 95 per cent did not get their support. I have no doubt that they have consulted widely. They have conducted some field work, obviously, and have seen the error of their ways previously.
So, Mr Speaker, I am very pleased to have the broad agreement of the house on this issue. I am quite confident that the poker machine players in the ACT will appreciate it. I am equally sure that the licensed clubs of the ACT will benefit by this measure. Of course, in doing so, there may eventually be even some revenue benefits for the ACT Government.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991
Debate resumed from 8 August 1991, on motion by Mr Connolly:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
MR COLLAERY (5.15): Mr Speaker, this again is a significant piece of legislation. I realise that it is a legally dense document and would not appeal to the immediate interest of members who just recently had a very active debate on gaming machines. Mr Speaker, the Attorney-General introduced the Commercial Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 1991 which, in fact, has already been seen by the Alliance Cabinet and approved. So, of course, I stand in support of this Bill.
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