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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 1 Hansard (19 February) . . Page.. 95 ..

MR WHITECROSS (continuing):

The Productivity Commission, in its "Stocktake in progress in microeconomic reform" in July 1996, summed up perfectly what this policy is about. It said:

The Australian Capital Territory Government has introduced new restrictions on retail shopping hours for major town centre supermarkets. This will reduce customer choice and convenience, and increase prices. Any gains to employment in small suburban shops are likely to be offset by losses in the major supermarkets.

Mr Speaker, it was a bad policy when it first came in. People with six months of experience have confirmed what a bad policy it is. I urge all Assembly members to consider the seriousness of this issue and vote to repeal the Act.

Debate (on motion by Mrs Carnell) adjourned.

MR MOORE (11.27): I present the Gaming Machine (Amendment) Bill 1997, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MR MOORE: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Mr Speaker, this Bill is to level the playing field between rival businesses in the ACT - between hotels and clubs. A draft Bill released two weeks ago aimed to abolish the class system. However, the revised Bill, after consultation with parliamentary counsel, is simpler. It leaves the classes in place but allows all licensees access to the full range of machines. The effect is exactly the same, but the legislation is considerably simpler. The effect of the Bill is to allow hotel licensees to install any of the available machines, not merely the old, out-of-date machines.

Mr Speaker, this Bill is about fairness for small business, but it does not allow more machines to be licensed than is currently possible. This Bill is about the types of machines which can be installed. At present there is a bias in favour of licensed clubs and against hotels. This situation is unfair. Licensing regimes, once decided upon by the community, should be fair. Commercial privileges for particular businesses are not fair and ought to be removed. This Bill, Mr Speaker, allows hotels to improve the two machines, where they have two machines, and 13 machines, where they are currently permitted, into modern machines. They will still be allowed only that number of machines. The current situation is like allowing one business to use a modern pentium computer and restricting another business to using typewriters. It is certainly not a level playing field. Small business in Canberra needs all the help it can get, Mr Speaker. It ought not be restricted by ludicrous constraints. These restrictions are designed to favour bigger businesses.

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