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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 11 Hansard (26 September) . . Page.. 3304 ..

MR QUINLAN (continuing):

We understand that this has now emerged as a distinct problem. Our people have discussed it with our counterparts interstate, who are just catching up. I have to congratulate our local administrators for being on the ball in relation to this.

But it will be necessary to bring in legislation that mirrors what happens in the United States of America. That separates equine activities that are relatively well managed, have risk management plans and can be reasonably well controlled from those that people might indulge in to the edge.

Mr Dunne: Does that include the carousel?

MR QUINLAN: It is a specific area, and we will be looking to introduce legislation specifically to cater for this problem. It is an individual problem. It is a problem that relates to areas involving horse riding as opposed to quite other areas.

Mr Dunne: What about the horses on the carousel?

MR HUMPHRIES: I have a supplementary question. Minister, given that jobs are disappearing literally as we speak, what is the timetable for the legislation you have just spoken about?

MR QUINLAN: That is about it, I have got to say. It has been brought to my attention only in the last couple of days that the equine industry won't be able to be catered for in the way other-

Mr Humphries: We raised it two months ago in the Estimates Committee.

MR QUINLAN: Let me say you stumbled across it. What you put forward is, as I have described before, a dog's breakfast, and we want to fix it properly.

Casino Canberra

MS TUCKER: My question is for Mr Quinlan. Minister, I am sure you are aware of the very disturbing advertising campaign conducted by Casino Canberra. The casino has been promoting in Vietnamese newspapers in Cabramatta very cheap transport, accommodation and meals to people who come to gamble in the Canberra Casino. The package costs $60 for a weekend. It includes one night's twin-share accommodation, free noodle lunch on Saturday, free Asian lunch on Sunday, tour of Canberra on Sunday morning, transport to and from Canberra from Sydney, free membership of the casino and a $25 voucher for gaming. There is a condition, however: minimum play $1,000-and you do have to be over 18 years. The ad also includes, in a prominent box: "Jackpot $7,923.10".

My office has been speaking with Councillor Tang No of Fairfield City Council. He has written to the casino and to the Gambling and Racing Commission protesting at this marketing strategy, which is clearly predatory, and forwarding copies of a petition. Councillor No reports that problem gambling has been identified as a major problem in the community.

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