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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 11 Hansard (10 December) . . Page.. 3425 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

The Government would like to take this opportunity to express its appreciation to the past and present members of that authority for their roles in the proper supervision of Casino Canberra operations and in the administration of the authority. Mr Speaker, I am sure that all members agree that they have done a great job.

Mr Speaker, I commend the Gaming and Racing Control Bill 1998 to the Assembly and undertake not to bring the Bill forward for debate until the Select Committee on Gambling indicates its readiness.

Debate (on motion by Mr Quinlan) adjourned.

MS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (10.39): Mr Speaker, I present the Racing Bill 1998, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MS CARNELL: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Mr Speaker, on 24 June 1998, I tabled an exposure draft of the Racing Bill 1998. On that day I said that development of legislation to control and administer racing in the Territory was a significant milestone in the history of the racing industry in the ACT.

The Racing Bill 1998 sets the framework for the day-to-day control and administration of racing in the Territory. It establishes the legal platform for ACT race clubs to become members of their peak national bodies, thereby giving the ACT racing industry an independent voice in the future direction of racing in Australia. The Bill ensures that the integrity and public confidence in the racing product will be maintained and upheld by appropriately empowered and responsible organisations. The Bill finally establishes, for the first time, a statute that specifically covers the ACT racing industry and sets the legislative framework for the control and conduct of racing in the Territory.

The Racing Bill 1998 has now been subjected to a public interest test under the provisions of the national competition policy agreements. In addition, there has been extensive consultation with ACT race clubs, the peak national controlling bodies and other industry stakeholders to develop a comprehensive and workable legislative framework. Mr Speaker, in June I outlined that it was feasible that changes may need to be made to the Bill as a result of the industry consultation and national competition policy review processes. I now advise the Assembly that, following industry consultation and the public interest test process, a number of changes have been made to the exposure draft of the Bill. These changes have resulted in the development of a more robust legislative framework, which is fully endorsed by the racing industry. The legislation will establish a controlling body structure for the three racing codes which will deliver a comprehensive and cost-effective administrative and regulatory regime for the local racing industry.

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