Page 1121 - Week 04 - Thursday, 22 April 2021
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gaming industry having a strong influence over the government. That does not mean that we should be held back by its poor standards.
I was encouraged to see, towards the end of last year, the New South Wales gaming minister actually suggest some new policies. I can assure the chamber that we are looking very closely at what is happening in New South Wales. Where there are opportunities to align ourselves, where good policy comes forward, we will do that because it is beneficial, where it is possible, to line up. I think that we should also not be held to the lowest common denominator by the fact that we are surrounded by the most pro-gambling state in Australia.
There is a lot of work to do in this space, as Mr Parton touched on. There are lots of views. I am quite pleased that the ministerial advisory council will shortly get underway. We have received some terrific nominations. Once those go through cabinet, I will be pleased to share that with the chamber. I have a lot of optimism for that group sitting down and having some pretty robust conversations. I have always thought that it would have been an interesting moment to have been in a few of the clubs when the Chief Minister announced that I was taking the gaming portfolio. I suspect that there were a few sharp breaths drawn. There are some really great people working in the clubs sector. They are full of good ideas—
Mr Parton: I’ll tell you about some of those conversations.
MR RATTENBURY: I bet you can, Mr Parton. There are some great people working in the clubs sector. Already they have shared some really good ideas with me. I appreciate that and I look forward to continuing to work with them over the next few years on the agenda that we are moving forward with.
Proposed expenditure agreed to.
Public Trustee and Guardian—Part 1.21
MR CAIN (Ginninderra) (5.06): I will not take up too much of the Assembly’s time. It is my understanding, Madam Speaker, that the Public Trustee and Guardian business transformation project is underway. I welcome such a project. It is essential that Canberrans have confidence in our Public Trustee and Guardian. Unfortunately, there have been causes for concern in recent times. In closing, and obviously in brief, I look forward to hearing in future how the new IT system is enabling improved business processes and strengthened assurance.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong—Attorney-General, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Gaming and Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction) (5.07): I thank Mr Cain for his brevity. The ACT government is firmly committed to safeguarding the rights of older Canberrans and Canberrans with a disability. These are the key members of our community that the Public Trustee and Guardian support. We have particularly seen that as a challenge due to the social isolation caused by the pandemic. It has underscored the importance of making sure that we have a well-resourced Public Trustee and Guardian who provide care for those who have no or reduced decision-making capacity, as well as administering estates of last resort.
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