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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 1030 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

integrity are consistent among all cooperative jurisdictions. Similarly, penalties for offences are also consistent and sufficient in level to deter unscrupulous operators. The ACT is working closely with Queensland on the cooperative regulatory scheme, to ensure the best possible outcome for the ACT community and the gambling operators who choose to conduct their business here.

The Government has decided that a proportion of the revenue generated from this measure will be put towards an education program to reinforce to players the importance of responsible gambling. I believe that that is a very important part of this legislation. It was very interesting to see the latest newsletter from the Australian Institute of Criminology, which explores these sorts of themes. They make the point that it is absolutely essential that governments act now, to use their words, to institute tough but workable regulations to monitor games such as cyberspace roulette, blackjack and baccarat, or risk dire societal and economic consequences. Mr Speaker, this Government has moved now.

I thank all members of the Assembly. I agree that, as many people have said in this debate, this legislation does have to be monitored closely because we are dealing in an area that is new and we are not quite sure where technology will take us. As technology is changing very quickly, I think it is essential to have at least a first go at this legislation - I have to say a first go at legislation with a huge amount of work in it - to ensure that the ACT is protected. I thank members for their support.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

[COGNATE BILL:

Debate resumed from 28 May 1998, on motion by Mr Smyth:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

MR SPEAKER: Is it the wish of the Assembly to debate this order of the day concurrently with the Gas Supply Bill 1998? There being no objection, that course will be followed. I remind members that in debating order of the day No. 2 they may also address their remarks to order of the day No. 3.

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