Page 591 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 12 April 1994
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Similarly, no other Australian TAB has put forward evidence that they have lost clients because of offshore betting operations related to VITAB. In fact, turnover in all of the States and Territories has continued to increase over the last 12 months or so since the commencement of Victoria's TAB branch and VITAB's operation in Vanuatu.
The issue of inducements is not a matter that is generally covered in contracts between TABs. Nevertheless, VITAB has provided a written undertaking that it will not knowingly seek the business of Australian resident customers by way of rebate, any other inducement or any other similar means. In addition, VITAB require new clients to sign a declaration warranting that "all bets are placed by me outside Australia".
ACTTAB is also in a position to scrutinise VITAB's transactions through its computer system. The TAB can obtain full details of all bets placed, the account on which bets were placed and the name of the account holder. I believe that this is an added means by which the integrity of the arrangement can be monitored. The issue of inducements provides an excellent example of the hypocrisy and humbug perpetrated by the Opposition on this issue. They have persistently said that I have withheld information and they have insisted that there is some problem related to inducements within the VITAB agreement and that I have misled the Assembly on this issue. The Opposition, as we all know, some weeks ago sought the intervention of the Auditor-General, who, with the full cooperation of ACTTAB, reviewed the issue. The Opposition has refused to release the Auditor-General's assessment but has insisted that there is some issue in this matter. I think the Assembly has some entitlement to see the letter, particularly bearing in mind the consequences.
Mr De Domenico: Did you write to the Auditor-General?
MR BERRY: I think the Assembly is entitled to see the letter. The fifth issue relates to the alleged involvement of Mr Bartholomew and, in turn, his relationship with Mr Tripp. I raised this matter earlier, but I will go over it again. I outlined the position, as I understood it, to the Assembly on 22 February 1994. These matters, in my view, are rightly for the independent inquiry to consider, and I do not believe that it would be appropriate to review them here.
I now come to the final issue which the Opposition has raised over my statements concerning the safety and benefits of the agreement with VITAB following the notice of termination by VicTAB. We have to make clear that VicTAB have given notice of termination. The language of the Liberals, of course, tried to give the appearance that it was gone. It is not gone. They have given notice of termination. There will be a lot of legal interest in this matter, and one has to be a little careful that one does not prejudice either our case or somebody else's in this place by making statements in relation to the matter. I think it is fair to say that there will be a lot of legal interest in the matter. But the link still lives.
The Opposition has said a great deal about comments I made in the Assembly during February about the safety and benefits of the agreement following the notice of termination by VicTAB. I think at the outset members should carefully consider what I have said, because those comments relate specifically to the benefits of the ACTTAB-VITAB agreement, which is quite separate from ACTTAB's arrangement with
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