Page 5773 - Week 18 - Tuesday, 10 December 1991
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the ACT Government adopt as a matter of policy the urgent implementation of the Social Impact Survey recommendations relating to the epidemiological studies and the establishment of counselling, referral and education services.
such services be established irrespective of whether a casino is approved.
a proportion of total Government gambling revenue be dedicated to the funding of such services.
In attempting to assess the current incidence of excessive gambling in the ACT, the study team applied various study techniques, with varying estimates ranging from 752 to 5,000 for persons considered to be at risk. The evidence provided to this study team from various welfare and counselling agencies in Canberra could not estimate the size or the extent of the problem in the Canberra population as a whole or as a proportion of the clients served by a particular agency.
When assessing the possible impact of a casino and the level of excessive gambling in Canberra, the study team concluded that there will be an increase in excessive gambling and related problems, but that the increase will be relatively small. The study team expected that welfare agencies, notably Lifeline and CARE - both agencies receive government funding of one order or another - would be sufficient to cope with increased demand. It is not expected that the increase in demand would be of sufficient numbers to make the new demand readily assessable. The study estimated an 11.4 per cent increase in excessive gamblers, or 86 individuals, should a casino be established.
As indicated in the first Follett Government submission to the select committee, the Government acknowledges that there are no services specifically available in the ACT for excessive gambling problems, but this Government is committed to taking a positive and sympathetic approach to developing a strategy to address this important issue.
Mr Speaker, it really comes down to the problem of identifying when the need is so significant as to require a movement in policy. As I have said, the Government is committed to taking a positive and sympathetic approach at a point where it is considered most necessary. However, Mr Speaker, the development of a counselling service will be considered in connection with the establishment of a casino.
MR HUMPHRIES (3.21): I will make a brief contribution to the debate. I was the chairman of the committee that Dr Kinloch has referred to and which did indeed recommend that the ACT Government adopt, as a matter of policy, the implementation of the social impact study which advised the then Federal Government that counselling and referral services relating to gambling ought to be established.
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