Page 4956 - Week 13 - Thursday, 2 November 2017
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more advanced harm minimisation features such as dynamic messaging to players and precommitment.
The bill provides that the ACT will be the first state or territory in Australia to require mandatory precommitment. Players will need to set the amount that they are prepared to lose in a playing period, with the option of also setting a time limit on their play. Making precommitment mandatory takes away the stigma of setting limits. Everyone will have to engage with the precommitment system before they can play.
The $5 bet limit in the legislation tabled by the government was already lower than the current maximum in the territory by half. I am aware that Minister Rattenbury will be moving amendments to this figure, and we will consider that in detail at a later stage.
Turning to Assembly matters, again I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety for its review of the bill and the comments contained in scrutiny report 9. As I have advised, I have tabled the revised explanatory statement that takes into account the committee’s comments that relate to the creation of offences by regulation, the penalty units applicable to certain offences in the bill, justification of strict liability offences and the operation of various defences under the Criminal Code.
There are a range of operational matters that will be addressed in future provisions including, importantly, taxation and community contribution requirements as well as specific rules and control procedures for operating gaming machines and FATG terminal approval processes, certification and technical standards for electronic gaming products, the centralised monitoring system and the precommitment system.
I will conclude by saying that this bill provides the framework for the introduction of electronic gaming products at the casino, subject to two key elements. Firstly, access to such products will be provided only in connection with a redevelopment proposal for the casino and its precinct that delivers benefit to both the Canberra community and visitors. Secondly, the electronic gaming products at the casino will be subject to some of the most stringent harm minimisation measures in the country.
This government will continue to regulate all gambling products in this territory to maximise community benefits. Support for today’s bill is support for a regulatory scheme that promotes development and revitalisation in our city centre, while introducing the strongest protections against gambling harm in Australia. The bill is not about a company; it is not about an unsolicited bid process. It is about the community’s expectations of our gambling laws and our commitment to growing Canberra’s economy through investment.
The bill will reduce the overall number of electronic gaming machines in the territory by 130. It will introduce for the first time in Australia mandatory precommitments for machines. Today’s legislation is a key component of our comprehensive approach to reforming the gambling industry and it redefines our rules for the casino in a way that is considered, safe and beneficial to the community. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
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