Page 414 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 18 March 2014
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has made it difficult for both the licensees and the commission to separate gaming machines from the charges in order to clearly identify and regulate ownership and control requirements under the act. There are, however, additional powers under the act that the commission can utilise to investigate and control financial and contractual arrangements if this should be required—such as preventing a third party from receiving a proportion of the gaming machine revenue.
It is the government’s policy objective that unallocated gaming machine jackpots are returned to the players wherever possible, such as where an accumulated jackpot amount is no longer available to be won by patrons. The amendments improve the process for the disbursement of unallocated gaming machine jackpots to patrons through an improved scheme. At present, the licensee applies to the commission for approval of an arrangement to distribute the jackpot, and an approval must be granted within four weeks or the amount of the jackpot is paid to the territory. Amendment of section 144 provides that where a licensee has a good reason for not obtaining approval of redistribution arrangements within the four-week period, the commission will be able to extend the period, an arrangement may be approved, and ultimately the jackpot funds can be returned to players rather than the territory.
The bill also includes some minor amendments to correct and clarify language and amends the associated provision of the act.
A range of reforms for the club industry, including further red tape reduction and a scheme that allows trading of gaming machines between venues in line with appropriate social impact statements, are also under consideration. The government is incorporating into this work the feedback received from its discussion paper of last year.
I want to thank the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety, in their scrutiny role, for their review of the Gaming Machine (Red Tape Reduction) Amendment Bill. The committee raised no comments on this bill. I also want to thank the officials that have put this work together and note that we continue to work in partnership with the clubs for further red tape reduction. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Corrections and Sentencing Legislation Amendment Bill 2014
Debate resumed from 27 February 2014, on motion by Mr Rattenbury:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
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