Page 2056 - Week 07 - Thursday, 17 June 1993
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CASINO CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993
Debate resumed from 20 May 1993, on motion by Ms Follett:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
MR KAINE (4.41): In speaking to this Bill, I would remind the Assembly that I have 20 minutes allotted for this debate. Having said that, I advise that the Opposition supports this Bill. It is an eminently sensible Bill, and it is something which you would hardly expect this Government to acknowledge - that the commercial world has some realities which do not necessarily coincide with those of government. The Bill recognises that the company operating the casino has a fiscal year that runs on a calendar year basis and not on a financial year basis. It is a sensible Bill and we support it. Somebody else can use the other 19 minutes and 2 seconds.
MS SZUTY (4.42): I propose to take a further one minute, I think, in raising my point of clarification. This Bill seeks to change the financial year for the casino, the year in which their accounts are to be forwarded to the Treasurer. I note that in her presentation speech the Chief Minister expects those accounts for the calendar year ended 31 December 1992 to be forwarded to her some 21 days after the commencement of this Bill. I would like her to address this particular issue when she is summing up. Does she anticipate at this stage that the accounts will be forwarded to her at that time?
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (4.43), in reply: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank members for their support for this Bill. It is a straightforward matter, as members say; merely to change the period of the financial year for the casino's operations. I am sure that all members will join me in expressing great pleasure that the permanent casino is now under construction and that in its seven months or so of operation the interim casino has rapidly become the second most visited attraction in Canberra, with some 450,000 visitors; so it is going very well.
Ms Szuty has asked a question about the financial statements and whether they will be audited as soon as practicable. I give Ms Szuty my assurance that, to the best of my ability, I will see that that is done. Given that it is a matter that is dependent on the commencement of this Bill, then, quite clearly, there is an obligation to ensure that the auditing arrangements are as anticipated by this Bill. I thank members for their support.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
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