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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 9 Hansard (22 August) . . Page.. 3203 ..

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, continuing with my remarks, the evidence before us tonight from the Gambling and Racing Commission demonstrates that there is, at most, to be lost from the licensed clubs in the ACT-

Mr Berry: Can I have a look at the papers?

MR SPEAKER: I warn you, Mr Berry.

MR HUMPHRIES: There is to be lost from licensed clubs no more than $100,000 in a whole year. That is the evidence the clubs themselves have provided. I have invited members for the last hour to look at this, Mr Berry. You have not bothered to come and see it. You can look at it now if you wish. I provide it to Mr Berry on the basis I indicated before-that I would not name the clubs concerned. I hope Mr Berry will respect the-

Mr Hargreaves: But you did.

MR HUMPHRIES: No, I did not.

Mr Hargreaves: You talked about the Tuggers Club.

MR HUMPHRIES: I beg your pardon, I did not name the clubs concerned.

Mr Hargreaves: Where did the rugby union club come from then?

MR HUMPHRIES: I am sorry, I named which clubs-

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Hargreaves, did you hear what I said about warning people?

Mr Hargreaves: Yes, I did, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: I warn you now.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I named the clubs that were represented in the information, which were the nine clubs that were trading 24 hours, but I did not give any breakdowns of information about particular clubs' gambling activities revenue. I would ask Mr Berry and others who look at the material to respect the same privacy. There is an issue of potential commercial-in-confidence about those clubs trading. I think we should respect that.

The figures show that a very large club in the ACT is operating an average of seven machines an hour during that period and deriving income of $3.40 per machine for that period of time. That club is making, on average, $25 over a three-hour period. How many people does $25 employ? It does not employ half of a single person.

If 40 or 50 jobs go, it will be as a result of grandstanding by the clubs, not as a result of any financial implication from this legislation.

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