Page 726 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 May 1992
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Madam Speaker, following the Alice Springs meeting, officers of the Office of Sport and Recreation have held preliminary discussions with the ACT Law Office with a view to ensuring that the legislation in the ACT covering the offence of SP bookmaking is effective. Comparisons with laws of other States will be a necessary part of that process as there is an ongoing concern in the racing industry about the lack of complementary legislation covering penalties. The issue of illegal SP bookmaking cannot be glibly dismissed. Figures from the Criminal Justice Commission of Queensland and the Victoria Police gaming squad indicate that the racing industry is losing in excess of $7 billion a year. However, I was delighted to hear that police from the ACT gaming squad have been active recently in stopping illegal SP operations in an inner city club and at two other Canberra locations.
Finally, Madam Speaker, I would like to mention an issue raised at the racing Ministers meeting which has had members on the other side of the Assembly running for cover. This is the infamous GST and the effect it would have on the racing industry. The Liberals have said - federally, that is - that they would exempt the racing industry from that ill thought through tax. It is ill thought through in many respects, but in the racing industry it is particularly threatening.
However, there are still some hazy areas in the proposed exemption. Will bookmakers' licence fees go up 10, 15 or even 20 per cent? Will patrons of ACT racing clubs have to pay GST to get through the gates? Will TAB punters have to receive a lower dividend as 10 to 15 per cent is siphoned off by the GST? Will trainers' bills go up as food items and veterinary fees will need to be passed on to owners and trainers? As I said, Madam Speaker, the proposed exemption is very hazy indeed, and I urge the Opposition to press their Federal colleagues to dump this socially unsound tax. I present the following paper:
Racing Ministers Conference - Ministerial statement, 21 May 1992.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Debate (on motion by Mr De Domenico) adjourned.
CANBERRA ADVANCE BANK LIMITED (MERGER) BILL 1992
Debate resumed from 14 May 1992, on motion by Ms Follett:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition) (3.22): The Opposition has no objections to this Bill. It is clearly, in effect, a machinery Bill to allow a change in the management structure of the Canberra Advance Bank. It is a companion to similar legislation to be enacted in New South Wales. It is legislation that is necessary, and it must be in place by 1 June because the Canberra Advance Bank loses its current licence on that date. We find nothing on the face of it that could cause any concern.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .