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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 12 Hansard (5 December) . . Page.. 3597 ..
The Assembly met at 10.30 am.
(Quorum formed.)
MR SPEAKER (Mr Cornwell) took the chair and asked members to stand in silence and pray or reflect on their responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MR QUINLAN (10.32): Overall, the ALP and the opposition will not be supporting the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2000. We are taking this course because, in the main, the fundamental reasoning behind this legislation does not appear to us to be contributive or positive. This legislation is based on an element of envy and a considerable element of malevolence.
During this debate we will hear the accusation of conflict of interest directed at the opposition. At the outset I would like to address that point. The application of the provisions of this legislation is hardly likely to affect the Labor Party. An examination of the Gambling and Racing Commission's report on contributions that are made by clubs to the community reveals that amongst the most generous clubs are the Canberra Labor Club, the Canberra Tradesmen's Union Club and the Woden Tradesmen's Union Club.
In fact, aside from the provision that relates to the election of boards of management, implementation of this legislation will not affect the ALP in any shape or form. The clubs associated with the ALP and the workers' movement are amongst the more generous in town. If members look at the Gambling and Racing Commission's report they will see who makes up the top four clubs in category one. Also, I suggest that they look at what the report says about category two.
So this legislation, if implemented, is not likely to make a great deal of difference to the ALP. Who would it make a difference to? It would make a considerable difference to the Liberal Party because it would allow them to try to hobble the fundraising and the funds that are made available to their main opponent and opposition.
Mr Smyth: You do get a benefit. So there is a conflict of interest.
MR QUINLAN: That is the motivation except, Mr Smyth, you are not bright enough to look at the numbers first. So the answer to who stands to gain the most out of this legislation is the Liberal Party of the ACT.
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