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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 3 Hansard (9 April) . . Page.. 756 ..

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister) (11.48): Mr Speaker, I ask for leave to move a motion relating to members' interests in issues concerned with gaming machines.

Leave not granted.

MRS CARNELL: I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent Mrs Carnell from moving a motion - - -

Mr Berry: No; she can have leave.

Leave granted.

MRS CARNELL: I think the motion is being circulated now. I move:

That this Assembly, noting that:

(1) Mr Osborne currently receives a substantial remuneration that is primarily derived from gaming machines;

(2) Mr Whitecross, Mr Berry, Ms Reilly, Mr Wood, Mr Corbell and Ms McRae receive a substantial financial benefit as members of the Australian Labor Party that is primarily derived from gaming machines,

urges these Members to abstain from voting or participating in any debate, motion or legislation relating to the gambling industry which incorporates the operation of gaming machines.

Mr Speaker, this motion is very straightforward and I will be very brief. I want to make it clear from the outset that this motion does not imply corruption on the part of any member of this chamber. What it does do, however, is identify a clear conflict of interest that confronts some members, a conflict of interest that must be resolved by this Assembly today because this is a - - -

Mr Berry: Mrs Pot; conflict of interest.

MRS CARNELL: We will find out. This really is a very important issue, Mr Speaker. I am sure everybody except possibly Mr Berry believes it is too. This Assembly will shortly begin to debate a range of issues surrounding the operation and availability of gaming machines in the ACT as well as other issues surrounding gambling. Currently, as members are aware, the availability of class C gaming machines is restricted only to licensed clubs in Canberra. As we also know, this is a very contentious issue.

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