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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 06 Hansard (Thursday, 24 June 2004) . . Page.. 2694 ..

Proposed new clause 159A.

MS DUNDAS (6.22): I move the amendment circulated on the white sheet of paper for the insertion of new clause 159A [see schedule 7 at page 2764].

Mr Speaker, this amendment is consequential upon the amendment just put in terms of fixing up a technical issue that was recently brought to my attention in relation to the GST and not wanting to double tax clubs. That was not the intention of the amendment I moved and this amendment clarifies that.

Proposed new clause 159A agreed to.

Clauses 160 to 162, by leave, taken together and agreed to.

Clause 163.

MS DUNDAS (6.22): I seek leave to move together amendments Nos 11 to 16.

Leave granted.

MS DUNDAS: I move amendments Nos 11 to 16 circulated in my name [see schedule 2 at page 2756].

Mr Speaker, these amendments go to inserting a new definition for social and charitable community contributions, which was a recommendation of the Gambling and Racing Commission. That recommendation related to mandating that two per cent of gambling revenue be directed towards social welfare and charity organisations. To enact that recommendation, I have moved amendments to insert a definition for social welfare and charity organisations. Later, I will have other amendments that would actually mandate that two per cent mark there.

There is a broader debate about the reliance of sporting clubs and other organisations and the government on gambling revenue. Whilst that is a very important debate at this point in time, we continue to have gambling revenue in the ACT. We have poker machines operating. I think that it would be a good thing if there were greater targeting of where that revenue actually went and we should be supporting those in the community that are doing the charitable and social welfare things that they are doing.

I know that clubs will say that they already contribute to these sorts of organisations. I recognise that and I recognise the good work that clubs do, but I think that we should have at least a mandatory minimum so that those clubs that are not already doing so will have to lift their game and support those in the community that assist the community.

MR QUINLAN (Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism, and Minister for Sport, Racing and Gaming) (6.25): Mr Speaker, the government does not accept these amendments. I think that they actually show to some extent a lack of appreciation of the full spectrum of the club industry. Not all of the club industry is rolling in dough. Some of the club industry is running at an official loss, but

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