Page 2163 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 2 August 2016
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Noting the points raised by the scrutiny of bills committee and noting my earlier comments that the bookmakers do not consider that there was sufficient, if any, consultation with them, the Canberra Liberals will be supporting this bill.
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (5.33): This amendment bill represents another tranche of the government’s red tape reduction agenda for the gaming and racing industry. Changes introduced by the bill include a simplified licensing framework for race bookmakers and their agents, with reductions in both administrative and regulatory burdens.
The bill introduces the ability to extend a race bookmaking licence for up to three years through a simplified renewal process rather than through a whole new licence process. I understand risk has been appropriately managed in the revised licensing process by limiting this to race bookmaking and not extending it to sports bookmaking, which is considered a more high-risk activity. Removing the requirement to display licenses and authorisation certificates at the main entrance of each gaming area eliminates duplication in regulation as the commission retains this information in its official registers.
The amendments to require signage on gaming machines is something that drew my attention within the bill. My office has worked with Minister Gentleman’s office to help deliver a useful harm minimisation message while getting rid of the need for unique stickers for each gaming machine. I am advised that the previous stickers based on percentage of return were often misunderstood by punters and led to a number of complaints. By introducing clear messages on machines we are better adhering to harm minimisation principles and removing potentially misleading communication from the community. The proposed new messages are evidence based, short, succinct and high impact and will help to reduce the risks of problem gambling in our community.
Making it easier for interstate visitors to visit and enjoy our local clubs as temporary members, as recommended by the recent public accounts committee report, will see the ACT become more competitive given our proximity to New South Wales. The easier access for interstate guests, while implementing appropriate protections for the maximum number of gaming machine authorisations in clubs, makes this a sensible amendment.
Other minor and technical amendments support the overall objective of reducing red tape and regulation, while maintaining a robust harm minimisation framework. Taken together, these various amendments have streamlined processes and helped elements within the gaming and racing portfolios to become more modern and risk based, while maintaining the integrity of the industry and protecting consumers. I am happy to support the bill today.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Racing and Gaming and Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations) (5.35), in reply: I thank members for their input into this legislative change and commend the bill to the Assembly. The amendment bill presents a number of reforms in the racing and gaming portfolio as part of the government’s commitment to red tape reduction, as we have heard.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video