Page 1057 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
further and require the government to implement that funding formula in the 2010-11 budget. The motion will also require the government to report back to the Assembly on the revised formula once implemented. Certainly, in discussions with Mr Smyth’s office we have tried to sell this as an addition to the motion, not as an attempt to change it in any substantive way.
The amendment also seeks to include a reference to problem gambling in the ACT. We are pleased that the text of the motion, as I have amended it, will now include that reference. In the discussions we have had with other offices there was a level of concern that the inclusion of problem gambling diverted attention from the primary issue in focus, which is the funding of the industry.
At 6.00 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the debate was interrupted. The motion for the adjournment of the Assembly having been put and negatived, the debate was resumed.
MR RATTENBURY: I was speaking about problem gambling and the concerns that this was taking away from the focus of the motion. However, the Greens believe that problem gambling is an important issue that must be kept in mind whenever the racing industry is discussed. Again, I go to Ms Bresnan’s speech in the Assembly last year in which she said:
It is all very well to have a vibrant racing industry and get our share from our racing products. We acknowledge that the racing industry provides employment, economic, entertainment and social benefits for the ACT economy, but we need to be mindful of the cost to our community through the impact of problem gambling.
In supporting this amendment to the Racing Act 1999, the ACT Greens urge the government and ACTTAB to pay close attention to this and direct funding and resources to assist with problem gambling and continue to financially support community groups who raise awareness of the negative impacts of gambling and provide support and counselling services to problem gamblers.
In light of Ms Bresnan’s comments, I would like to put on the record today that we are not suggesting or inferring that any of the changes to the funding structure place people at increased risks of problem gambling. Nor are we suggesting that the funding of support programs is in danger of being reduced because of the new funding arrangements. The point I simply want to make is this: problem gambling is indeed a problem across Australia and the ACT is not immune. Problem gambling damages personal, family and work life and must be guarded against at all costs. For those that do suffer problems there must be services offered and help provided. That is why we sought to include that reference in today’s motion—not because it is the primary focus of the motion but simply because we should remember to always talk about the context of this issue.
Our amendment also seeks to insert more broad contextual statements about the social and economic impact of the racing industry and the importance of fiscal responsibility. The amendment, I believe, adds context to the debate. During discussions on the motion, the Liberal Party have expressed concern that these general comments give
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video