Page 3867 - Week 10 - Thursday, 27 August 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
cover their poor management. We have got a club sector that has consistently asked just for some certainty in what is going to occur, only to have it changed time and time again.
They accept and acknowledge that some change is required to deal with either problem gambling or smoking issues. Many have made allowances for that. But the viability of the club sector, because of the management of the portfolio by this government, is becoming increasingly difficult. If what we see is an indication from the Labor Party that they would rather cut and run and take their money, rather than stay in the club sector, it is an interesting indication of where they potentially think the club sector is going. And that is the problem for the club sector. They lack certainty. They are saying to me that they do not get—
Ms Gallagher: You haven’t read the latest letter they sent you, Brendan, no doubt.
MR SMYTH: Yes, I have read the latest letter. It said, “We have got some concerns.” I commend the motion to the house.
MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Treasurer, Minister for Health, Minister for Community Services and Minister for Women) (4.28): I will be very brief as we have had this debate a number of times this week in the Assembly. I would raise again my concern that Mr Smyth, being as concerned as he is with the club industry, did not take part in any of the consultations we have recently held over the reallocation of gaming machine licences. I would question his genuine concern on this. This is a political campaign; this is one he is going to keep pursuing. It is a waste of the Assembly’s time.
The Gambling and Racing Commission is quite appropriately dealing with this matter. I referred the letter at the first instance. I know it disappointed the Liberals that I had actually made that referral. They thought they had something. They do not. They should just let the commission do their job and stop making such a fool of themselves by racing in legislation, without consultation with the major stakeholders in that industry. You are making a fool of yourself. Wait for the commission to report and then the Assembly will be all the wiser for it.
MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Convenor, ACT Greens) (4.30): The Greens do support an inquiry into the serious accusations that were raised in the Canberra Times and the Australian newspapers regarding the proposed sale of assets by the Canberra Labor club. However, last week we supported a motion to refer this matter to the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission for a full inquiry into any possible breaches of the Gaming Machine Act 2004. This inquiry is currently being conducted and the Greens will be honouring this process by waiting for the outcome of the inquiry.
However, the Greens will be watching this issue very closely until we have a full resolution of the claims. This motion raises questions about the spirit of the community gaming model and the way it is translated in the Gaming Machine Act 2004. The Greens fully support the community gaming model and expect it to be followed in a way that ensures all profits from gaming in the ACT are returned to the community.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .