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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (30 March) . . Page.. 1107 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

Another problem which I think I need to draw Ms Tucker's attention to, and it is a fairly significant problem, is a technical problem brought to my attention a few moments ago about the way in which her motion is constructed. My advice is that Determination No. 55 of 2000 was made to revoke Instruments Nos 138 of 1995 and 272 of 1999. The latter instrument revokes the former instrument and imposes a maximum number of sports betting licences that can be issued as "unlimited". Subsequent to the making of Instrument No. 272, advice was received to the effect that it was unclear as to whether or not the word "unlimited" could be a maximum number as provided for in the Act.

Determination No. 55 of 2000 was made to remove any uncertainty, and the Government's intention in making Determination No. 272 of 1999 was that there should be no maximum number of sports licences that can be granted. (Extension of time granted) Determination No. 55 of 2000 would reinstate Determination No. 272 of 1999, which allows for an unlimited number of licences.

The effect of Ms Tucker's motion is, in fact, not to place any restriction on the number of licences issued in the ACT at all. I think it is the opposite to what she wants to achieve. I will give Ms Tucker this note to have a look at if she wishes. This matter has just been drawn to my attention. It might be necessary to amend her motion or to deal with the matter in some other way.

Mr Speaker, apart from that technical question, I think we have to ask ourselves what kind of value there is in taking this sort of step. I said before that if we are going to put a restriction on the number of operators in this area we are going to have to look at similar restrictions in other areas. For example, there is no limit at the present time on the number of standing bookmakers in the ACT.

Mr Quinlan: Can this be adjourned?

MR HUMPHRIES: If you want to. That is up to you. I am not sure whether we can. I do not know whether we can or not.

Mr Quinlan: Just to round out that point you were making, we need to know whether the debate can be adjourned.

MR HUMPHRIES: There are a number of points that I think need to be addressed. There is no limit on the number of standing bookmakers in the ACT, for example. When is Ms Tucker's motion going to come forward to restrict the number of standing bookmakers? I do not know.

I think I have said enough generally about this matter. Let me make one final point. Ms Tucker said that she wants to move a motion to urge a cooperative approach towards these issues. She wants to urge us to work in with the national scheme for regulation of gambling and gaming in Australia. That is fine, but it is a bit rich to have her call for that to be taking place at the national level when she is not talking to the Government about these issues in the ACT.

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