Page 1905 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 14 June 1994
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MR DE DOMENICO: I am going to frequent them, for a start, Mr Connolly, which is something you should consider doing. Anyway, I look forward to your contribution to this debate later on in the evening, Mr Connolly.
Mr Connolly: I have plenty of things to do. I have two babies, Mr De Domenico.
MR DE DOMENICO: You have more than two babies on your hands. You just concentrate there, read away, and do not say anything, and we will get through this a lot more quickly than it would take normally.
The Government, Madam Speaker, might consider setting up, for example, a betting pavilion within the casino and allow bookmakers to take bets on sporting events. It is something that has to be given some thought. Other venues might want that facility. It is something that the Government should look at. I am aware, Madam Speaker, that legislation would have to be altered or enacted in order for this to happen. However, it is something that the Government should look at in the future in order for the Territory to have an advantage over other States. People are going to gamble, whatever governments do; there is no doubt about that. The ACT must take advantage, therefore, of the maximum revenue potential which is open to us. As more money is spent on gambling, the revenue increases, quite obviously. We should ensure that we have control of it because, as I said before, notwithstanding what we might think personally, people are going to gamble, no matter what governments do.
The Liberal Party will not be opposing either of these Bills, but we believe that we have not gone far enough. The Government needs to be conscious of the potential out there, and further discussions should be held. I am sure, from the private discussions I have had with the Minister, that he is considering what can be done. I am sure that he will act as quickly as he has been seen to act in other ways to make sure that we do benefit from this sort of industry. In terms of what we would do to the clubs, Mr Connolly, we would continue to make sure that clubs and taverns and everybody else competed actively in the ACT - - -
Mr Connolly: Ah; so you will put the pokies in the pubs.
MR DE DOMENICO: No, I did not say that, Mr Connolly.
Mr Connolly: You did.
MR DE DOMENICO: No, I did not.
Mr Connolly: Will you stop the pokies in the pubs?
MR DE DOMENICO: No, I did not.
Mr Connolly: Will you tell the clubs that you will protect them? What do you say.
MR DE DOMENICO: I did not. I did not say that at all.
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