Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 12 Hansard (5 December) . . Page.. 3609 ..

MR OSBORNE (continuing):

So I think we do need to be more vigilant in looking at how clubs spend money derived from poker machines. This is why I have been working with the government and members of this place on ways to ensure that this legislation is passed.

I had a problem with the first model that was put up, which I think had a split of 4 per cent and 3 per cent. Some of the clubs that I have dealt with - the Vikings, for example - have spent well over a million dollars on sporting groups and affiliated clubs within their organisation which contain thousands and thousands of people. I feel that perhaps they should be included in the category of charity and community benefit because they are putting money back into the community and enabling people to partake in different sporting activities.

I am pleased with the way that the legislation is heading. However, I want to make the point that although I am a supporter of the clubs, I think some of them need to lift their game. They are given a tremendous benefit through poker machines and therefore have a decided advantage over their opposition. However, as I said earlier, obviously poker machines have the potential to cause damage and suffering to families.

Mr Speaker, as I said, I will be supporting the legislation. Although I have agreed to some changes, I have not as yet agreed to Mr Moore's amendments and I look forward to listening to the debate on them. I have already had a discussion with Mr Quinlan but I have had only a very brief discussion with Mr Moore.

I look forward to the debate on the issue of political donations because I think it is a live issue. I think the Labor Party extracts quite a significant benefit from the club industry. They receive a lot of money through the stance that they take in this place on poker machines, and one could argue that there is a conflict of interest there. I suppose the point is that the Labor Party needs that money to get re - elected.

Mr Berry: We don't need that money to get elected.

MR OSBORNE: "We don't need that money," Mr Berry says. One could argue that there is a real conflict of interest there, but the Labor Party does not seem to think so. The standing orders do not rule it out; and they do not rule me out - I thought it was a judgment call and a perception issue. I think that at some stage in the future perhaps the Labor Party will need to revisit the issue of whether or not it is a conflict of interest. I am sure Liberal Party will continue to remind them of that.

I look forward to the debate on Mr Moore's amendments. I look forward to Mr Quinlan's arguments as to why it is undemocratic. I am more than happy to support this legislation, which addresses the very important issue in this community of placing some greater scrutiny on clubs.

MS TUCKER (11.28): The Greens will be supporting part of this legislation, the community contributions part. As members are well aware, we have raised issues about poker machines, how the clubs are working and whether hotels should have poker machines, et cetera. The discussion has gone on for a long time. A select committee has looked at the issue, and we now have a gambling commission. So there has been some progress.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .