Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2288 ..

MR OSBORNE (continuing):

because it is in the absence of the truth being publicly available that ACT taxpayers have paid $4m which should not have been paid. It is in the absence of the truth that the system will continue to allow people outside the control of politicians to put government revenues at risk.

Mr Speaker, this is not a question of party politics. I believe that this Assembly would be sending a positive message to the people of the ACT if there were unanimous support for this motion. It is my solemn hope that this inquiry finally clears the air. I have had numerous approaches from people regarding the goings on with ACTTAB. I hope that by going down this path any doubts can be laid to rest. As I said earlier, Mr Speaker, this is not a political witch-hunt; it is a genuine desire for the truth. I sincerely hope that at the end of this inquiry the commissioner comes up with nothing and that the allegations are not true. I sincerely hope that that is the case, because I want this finally put to bed. Mr Speaker, my final issue is the one regarding the costs of an inquiry, and I say to that: What price is truth?

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister) (9.48): Mr Speaker, I think it is important for me to make it clear right from the beginning that the Government has nothing to fear from this inquiry. The last thing that we want to do is either spend taxpayers' money unnecessarily or, alternatively, not allow the truth to come forward in this area. We have heard over the years, particularly with regard to VITAB, a large number of allegations made about various conduct in this industry. We also, as Mr Osborne said, recently had some allegations of some particular kick-backs, shall we say, or special money being paid by the Racing Club to particular punters. Mr Speaker, at that stage, the moment this Government got any wind of that happening, we immediately asked Deloittes to come and have a look at the whole situation. I believe I have already tabled in this house the result of that inquiry. I am more than happy to make available again for members the document "Review of certain suggestions relating to the ACTTAB", which was prepared by Deloittes. I am happy to table that document.

As a result of that document, it was heartening that Tabcorp, the Victorian TAB of old, wrote back to us, to Roger Smeed, the chief executive of ACTTAB, saying:

I am writing to thank you for your prompt action which you took following our discussion in Hobart concerning the activities of the race clubs at the auditorium regarding the possible provision to professional punters of financial incentives.

We are very satisfied with the action you have taken.

It was signed by the Tabcorp Executive General Manager - Wagering. I am happy to table that as well, for the interest of members.

Mr Speaker, we also wrote to the presidents of the various racing clubs - the Canberra Greyhound Racing Club, the Canberra Harness Racing Club and the ACT Racing Club - making it very clear to all of those entities that the ACT Government would not accept any conduct that provided incentives for particular punters. I am happy to table those letters as well, for the interest of members.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .