Page 2446 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 13 August 2014
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would stand in the way of this going to the Auditor-General. And if the price that is being paid is a good price, I do not see why they would stand in the way of this going to the Auditor-General.
You only have to go back to the article in the Australian—which seems to indicate that Tabcorp got the better deal, not the people of the ACT—to have some concerns about what the government have done and whether they truly have got the best value for money for the people of the ACT. I commend the motion to the Assembly.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Housing and Minister for Tourism and Events) (11.57): I move the amendment circulated in my name:
Omit all words after “notes that”, substitute:
“(a) the ACT Government has now entered into arrangements to sell ACTTAB to Tabcorp for $105.5 million;
(b) under the sale conditions, all staff (with the exception of the Chief Executive Officer who is retiring) are guaranteed employment with Tabcorp for a minimum period of three months following completion;
(c) the racing industry funding arrangements are unchanged—receiving around $8 million per year from government—recognising their important contribution to the region;
(d) in addition to the payments from government, the racing industry is guaranteed for at least 10 years an amount of at least $300 000 (indexed by CPI) per year for race and other sponsorships from Tabcorp, which represents an increase of $100 000 (indexed by CPI) per annum; and
(e) local community and sporting organisations will continue to receive from Tabcorp at least $400 000 per annum in sponsorships and support (indexed by CPI) for at least 10 years; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) detail to this Assembly consequential and transitional arrangements for employees and the racing industry as a result of this sale;
(b) consider retraining options for ACTTAB Ltd employees who decide not to accept an offer by Tabcorp; and
(c) work with the racing industry to investigate the development of multi-year contractual arrangements with reporting requirements in consultation with the industry.”.
On 30 July I announced the government had agreed to sell ACTTAB to Tabcorp and that the transaction was expected to be completed later this year. In responding to Mr Smyth’s motion this morning, it is important to outline the steps taken by the government leading to the sale.
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