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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1107 ..

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (10.39): Mr Speaker, I present the Gaming Machine (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 1997, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MRS CARNELL: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

This Bill amends the Gaming Machine Act 1987 by tightening the grounds on which the Commissioner for ACT Revenue may rely when considering the issue, cancellation or suspension of a gaming machine licence. The proposal contained in this Bill is the first step in a package of amendments that seek to ensure that all clubs operate within the intention of the law, strengthen their accountability and reporting requirements, and enhance the commitment of the club industry to the community.

Under the Gaming Machine Act, the commissioner, when considering an application for a gaming machine licence from a hotel or tavern, must, among other things, determine the good fame and character of the applicant. No similar test exists to establish the bona fides of directors or influential persons of clubs which make application for a gaming machine licence. This deficiency prevents the commissioner from making appropriate decisions on gaming machines to protect the public interest. I believe that the directors and influential persons of a club should be subject to similar tests of good fame and character, and propose to adopt a more objective test for all clubs, hotels and taverns that the commissioner may rely upon.

This Bill proposes that, when deciding to grant or refuse a gaming machine licence, the commissioner may consider whether the applicant or, in the case of a club, a director or influential person in the club operation has been convicted of an offence, or is subject to a penalty involving an offence, in the past five years involving dishonesty, unlawful gaming, or a breach of the Gaming Machine Act or another taxation law. In addition, the commissioner will be able to cancel or suspend a gaming machine licence where the licensee, club director or influential person in the club operation is convicted of such offences in the future. It is not intended that this provision be made retrospective or cancel or suspend existing gaming machine licences in cases where the offences were committed by licensees, club directors or influential persons before the proposed commencement of the Act.

The Government is committed to ensuring that all aspects of club gaming operations in the ACT are conducted beyond reproach and to protecting the members and the community which these clubs serve. Mr Speaker, I am also going to be asking the Assembly to bring this Bill on for debate next week, if the Assembly sees that as appropriate.

Debate (on motion by Mr Whitecross) adjourned.

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