Page 2769 - Week 09 - Thursday, 8 August 2013

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Let us remember that this is a proven mechanism to combat problem gambling. We know from the experience in Victoria, which last year implemented rules to ban ATMs altogether, that this measure works and that the harms of problem gambling are reduced by this simple measure. There is simply no excuse for delay in introduction of the laws, and I ask all members to read the research produced by the ANU that shows just how serious the harms from poker machines are in our community. I also ask members to remember that we are the ones who are responsible for the perpetuation or the cessation of those harms. The Greens oppose this bill today.

Clause agreed to.

Remainder of bill, by leave, taken as a whole and agreed to.

Question put:

That this bill be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to.

Legislation (Penalty Units) Amendment Bill 2013

Debate resumed from 6 June 2013, on motion by Mr Corbell:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

MR HANSON (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (5.18): Although the principle of the Legislation (Penalty Units) Amendment Bill 2013 is sound, it does raise some concerns. As you are aware, I foreshadow that I will be proposing that the bill be referred to the JACS committee for consideration as part of its inquiry into sentencing in the ACT.

The bill serves two purposes: firstly, it seeks to increase the value of penalty units from $110 to $140 for individuals and from $550 to $700 for corporations. Secondly, it seeks to require the Attorney-General to review the penalty values at least every

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