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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (30 March) . . Page.. 1102 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

That is an estimated increase in the total amount of gambling in Australia due to increased online gambling of between 30 and 50 per cent. Another important point came from the Productivity Commission:

Once again, the Productivity Commission is calling for a national approach. It is obvious that we need to step back and allow this national work to occur. Another issue which has been raised in discussion is: "Why are you doing this? We do not have any kind of limit on interactive gambling licences". And the point made is: "We do it so well". We do not do it that well. Although the interactive gambling legislation is quite good, it is certainly not to the level that the Senate committee is asking for.

I intend to address the moratorium on the interactive gambling licences. I foreshadow today that I will be moving a motion in the next sitting period which will call on the Government to work in good faith with the Senate committee's recommendation that we have a moratorium and calling on the ACT to take a responsible attitude. I believe that the people of the ACT expect that of this parliament. If there is one issue that I know people are concerned about, not only broadly in Australia but in the ACT, it is this issue. As Tim Costello said, with interactive gaming we are literally putting three million casinos into Australian homes, and we need to look at what the impact of that will be.

As members are aware, a select committee of this Assembly looked at the social and economic impacts of gambling. We did not go into great detail about online gaming, because we did not have the time and because we thought the Government had taken some steps on the interactive gaming legislation. But so much has happened since the select committee tabled its report. I am much more aware of all the issues than I was then. That is why I was so interested to read the Senate committee's report on the subject.

Common to online gambling and every other form of gambling that we looked at in the select committee and came up with a unanimous report on is the fact that we do not understand the implications, we do not have the proper data, we have not done the research and we do not understand the broad economic impacts. There is the concept of cannibalising of the economy. So much money that would have been going into much more constructive enterprises is being sucked into the gambling business, which governments encourage because they get easy money through the taxation.

Our committee report, which was totally consistent with the Senate committee report, made clear the problems of access and problem gambling. It is quite clear that the computer is increasing access to gambling. I am concerned about the way the Government is approaching this matter. I am disappointed. I know that other people in the country are disappointed with the ACT's position on sports betting. I hope that

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