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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 7 Hansard (27 June) . . Page.. 1998 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

I received a brochure the other day about something I am considering applying to use, because it really would very useful to have this document with me in the next few weeks. It is a document called "Coping with Difficult People". I think I could use a few copies of the volume. Anyone wishing to order copies, please come and see me. I will be happy to order them at the same time.

MR SPEAKER: You might like to send it up to the chair, thank you.

MR KAINE: My question is to the Treasurer, and I hope he takes a lot less than 20 minutes to answer it. Treasurer, can you confirm that the government has agreed, or is about to agree, to license an online gambling operation to be established at Bruce Stadium? If so, can you tell us what forms of online gambling the licensee will be entitled to carry on with?

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I can confirm that the government per se does not license any online gambling operations. It of course is the Gambling and Racing Commission which conducts those licensing operations. The government does not even have an overview role in the sense of ticking off recommendations made by the commission. My recollection of legislation is that it is the commission which independently, at arm's length from government, makes those decisions. That is my understanding of the situation. So, strictly speaking, the answer to Mr Kaine's question is: no, we have no intention of the government doing this. If the Gambling and Racing Commission is intending to do so, I have not been advised of that fact.

MR KAINE: I ask a supplementary question. Perhaps the minister could take the trouble to find out whether the gambling commissioner is even entertaining such a thing. While he is at it, would he also find out who this licence is going to be bestowed upon and how much is being paid for the privilege of conducting online gambling at the Bruce Stadium?

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I will obtain information. I am not sure whether it is appropriate to make any announcements about licences that have not been granted yet, licences that are still being negotiated, but if I am able to provide information to the Assembly I am quite happy to do so. I undertake to get that information.

I let members know that I am shortly going to table the report from the Gambling and Racing Commission on the effectiveness of our interactive gambling legislation, pursuant to the motion Ms Tucker moved in the Assembly. That will help us to understand the framework in which such licences are being issued.

MR BERRY: My question is to the Minister for Health and Community Care. Mr Speaker, I do not need to remind members of the campaign by this government involving the increasing use of gag and payback against those people who might criticise the government.

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