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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 14 Hansard (10 December) . . Page.. 5189 ..

MRS CROSS: Mr Speaker, I accept what you say. I am using the reference that the honourable Treasurer used and I figured that, if the hat fits-or the skirt or the dress or whatever-you should wear it.

Mr Speaker, the importance of this bill cannot be overestimated. The passage of this bill into law would result in great benefit to Canberrans. Simply put, this bill and its passage would result in tangible benefits for the citizens of the ACT. These benefits to the community would be large. In 2002-2003, licensed clubs donated $371,036 to political parties and in 2001-2002 they donated $458,455 to political parties. That is over $825,000 that has been diverted away from the community into the coffers of political candidates.

I ask my fellow MLAs whether it is better to spend $825,000 on the community or on political parties. Is it better to spend $825,000 on our junior sporting teams, on our charities and on our clubs, or is it better to see $825,000 spent on electioneering and filling the coffers of political parties?

Clearly, support for this bill is a signal that supporters care about the community first and foremost. Support for this bill shows that you want to see money going to junior sporting teams and charities and being reinvested in our clubs-

Mr Corbell interjecting-

MRS CROSS: Mr Corbell, I will get to you in a minute. The vote on this bill will make it clear which of us have the community's interests and which of us have their own interests at heart. It should also be remembered that clubs are our institutions, they are the people of Canberra's institutions. Clubs belong to the community and exist to benefit the community, not certain individuals.

This is the very reason licensed clubs have a state-protected virtual monopoly on gaming machines in the ACT. Licensed clubs, at the expense of most hotels and taverns and the Canberra Casino, have a practical monopoly on gaming machines in the ACT because they are community organisations. They have a practical monopoly on gaming machines because they are not-for-profit organisations. Subsequently, licensed clubs with gaming machines have a responsibility to donate that money to the community.

This can be done in a number of ways. Clubs can donate to charitable organisations; this is giving back to the community. Clubs can donate to welfare, safety and social services; this is giving back to the community. Clubs can provide money for sport and recreation; this is giving back to the community. Clubs can provide money for women's sports and encouraging women to take part in sport; this is giving back to the community.

Mr Corbell: When is Mrs Cross going to apologise?

MRS CROSS: Clubs can donate to and provide-

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MRS CROSS: Mr Speaker, it is very tempting. I will get to him. I cannot wait.

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