Page 2637 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 25 September 2007
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revenue. That is well below the national average of 8.7 per cent and, as I said, the second lowest in Australia behind Western Australia, which, of course, does not have poker machines.
The community contributions made by licensees are another well-recognised club industry effort that has been in place for the last decade. While the legislation does require a minimum level of contribution, the industry has dug much deeper and contributed many millions of dollars in excess of this minimum amount. The 2006-07 year was no exception, with the total value of community contributions from club gaming machine licensees being $12.8 million. The average contribution was about 12 per cent of net gaming machine revenue compared with a legislative requirement of seven per cent.
Community contributions come in many forms. They include charitable and social welfare, such as contributions to the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and the Smith Family. These contributions raise the standard of living in our community by providing things such as child protection and family support services and drug, alcohol and problem gambling support services. They are also used for vital hospital equipment and establishing retirement villages or facilities for use by the residents of such places. For example, the Hellenic Club donated $40,000 in this last year to the Koomarri association and each year the Hellenic Club provides $100,000 worth of support to the St Nicholas Home for the Aged.
Clubs make significant contributions to sport and recreation. Some $9.3 million was provided by clubs in 2006-07 to sport and recreation. Those contributions are absolutely critical in supporting teams throughout the ACT in probably every sport that you care to name. Of course, we know the importance of sport for a whole range of reasons.
For example, in just the last year alone the Tuggeranong Valley Rugby Union Club contributed $1.7 million to sport and recreation, and this comes on the top of massive capital expenditure over the years by that club. In recent years, Vikings have expended $6.25 million to establish Viking Park; $4.2 million on the capital golf course; $1 million for bowling greens; $500,000 to establish tennis courts; $6.5 million to build the auditorium; $500,000 to support the cricket grounds; and $3.2 million for members’ accommodation. They are the capital expenditures by the Vikings in recent years.
In addition, each year Vikings provide $390,000 to Viking Park; $500,000 to the golf course, $350,000 to support bowling; $15,000 to support tennis; $250,000 to maintain the auditorium; $50,000 to support cricket; and $270,000 on other services. That is just one example. Every club replicates expenditure up to those levels on different events and activities.
The Canberra tradies club provides $275,000 a year to support rugby league. The soccer facility at McKellar, built by the Belconnen Soccer Club at a cost of $3.5 million and maintained at a cost of $300,000 a year, is provided and supported by that particular club.
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