Page 1636 - Week 05 - Thursday, 5 May 2016
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disappointing, given that the clubs sector are here in force to listen to what we as MLAs have to say. What we have to say here affects them very much and their future, I think, is at stake to some degree.
I thank Mr Smyth for bringing this matter of public importance before us today. If there has ever been a supporter of the clubs sector, it is Brendan Smyth. I thank him for that, as I am sure many in our community do. As has been identified, this is not just about clubs; it is about the community gaming model. They are intrinsically linked, however.
My local club is the Raiders club. I was there on Saturday night with my family. I note that it is the club that took over Royals. I did not see any predatory behaviour there. I do not see that as a predatory club. It is a good place. I was there getting my lamb’s fry and bacon on a Saturday night; they have that as a special dish. It is a unique taste; I accept that, but it is very good and I recommend it. Robbie loves it too. There is a steak that you can cook yourself. If you say, “Where do you want to go to dinner?” it is always to the Raiders club in Weston or to the Mawson club. I mean no offence to the other clubs. They all offer very good fare, and I think that is reflective of the fact that a lot of people choose to go to clubs because they offer very high quality food and beverages.
I bumped into some old friends there. Warwick and Brenda were there, as were some others. I took the opportunity to watch some of the footy that was on. The service that was provided to me by Lucas was fantastic, as it always is. The rest of the staff there are equally good, behind the bar and around the whole club. I noticed a number of people playing pokies, and that is a night’s entertainment as well.
I go to that club a bit; I have been there many times in a more official capacity, as a member of Rotary. My Rotary club met there; they have now moved to the Irish Club in Weston. The Weston Creek Community Council meets at the Raiders club, as do many other community organisations. This is just a story about a Saturday night at a club. It is reflective of all the work that our clubs do in our community. They are supporting footy, supporting charities, supporting local community clubs, providing entertainment and providing high quality food and drinks. That is what our clubs do.
Mr Doszpot may not get a chance to speak, but I know he holds his annual Doszpot fundraiser—this year it is for Bosom Buddies—at the Southern Cross Club.
Mr Doszpot: The Hellenic.
MR HANSON: It is the Hellenic. It has been at the Southern Cross Club previously; this year it is at the Hellenic. Again we see the clubs, be they big or small, pitching in and supporting local community organisations.
We have had a lot to say in this place about the Labor clubs and their support of the Labor Party. I want to make it very clear that our concern is not with clubs, or, indeed, as Mr Smyth said, with the Labor club per se. Our concern is about the conflict of interest that that generates. That is a concern, and it is a concern that remains. But I want to make it very clear that that is not a concern with the Labor club or with any other club. I have expressed that to Tony Luchetti and other members of that club.
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