Page 3962 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 25 November 2014
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The bill streamlines licensing arrangements by providing that technicians can be licensed for a period of three years and removes the need for gaming machine attendants to be regulated under the act. Further, it clarifies provisions for the amendment of club constitutions at the direction of the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission.
Small clubs will be given the opportunity to pay their contributions to the problem gambling assistance fund on an annual basis. The bill, as presented, allows the clubs to make an annual problem gambling assistance fund payment in arrears, if they so wish, where their liability averages less than $100 per month. Today I am moving a government amendment that increases this threshold to $300 so as to provide a greater number of clubs to be included in this option.
This government amendment provides greater flexibility for the clubs to manage their business and also maintains contributions to the fund which provide for important initiatives and research into problem gambling.
Given that the government amendment is considered minor, there is no requirement that I refer the proposed amendment to the bill to the scrutiny of bills committee in advance of today’s debate. I have ensured that the amendment is consistent with order 178A in the standing orders. A signed copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members for consideration.
The government amendment is supported by a supplementary explanatory statement, which I am also tabling today and which complements the existing explanatory statement that was tabled with the bill. This supplementary explanatory statement outlines the proposed government amendment to the bill introduced in the Legislative Assembly. The supplementary explanatory statement clarifies the government’s amendment to new section 163AA and the application of the entire section 163AA previously provided in the explanatory statement.
I thank the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety, in their legislative scrutiny role, for their review of the Gaming Machine (Red Tape Reduction) Amendment Bill 2014. I note that the committee raised no comments on this bill.
This government is committed to maintaining a robust regulatory framework while reducing red tape burdens in the industry and maintaining a strong harm minimisation framework to provide consumer protections and minimise harm from problem gambling.
In closing, I want to thank officials for their drafting of this legislation. I also thank and acknowledge the respectful relationship that I and the government have with ClubsACT. I think it demonstrates a mature understanding of support for the community clubs, but also recognises the need to maintain strong harm minimisation strategies where we can.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
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