Page 482 - Week 02 - Thursday, 3 March 1994
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ACTTAB - Contract with VITAB Ltd
MR LAMONT: My question is also directed to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for Sport. Could you inform the Assembly whether there is any evidence of VITAB poaching ACT punters?
Mr De Domenico: The answer is yes.
MR BERRY: The answer is no. There is no evidence. I am pleased to advise the Assembly that in the period 18 January 1994 to 26 February 1994, the time in which VITAB has been operating in Vanuatu, ACTTAB's turnover has increased by 5 per cent. I am advised that in the corresponding period last year ACTTAB's turnover was $10.01m. In the same period this year turnover has increased by $500,000 to $10.51m. This increase in turnover has resulted in additional revenue to the Government of some $29,000 over the corresponding period last year. Additionally, over the same period, VITAB has contributed some $1.7m to the betting pools. That is of great advantage to Australian punters and to TABs because large betting pools draw more punters. VITAB have given a clear undertaking that they will not be offering inducements in Australia. There is no evidence to suggest that that is occurring. If the Liberals opposite have any, please give it to me.
Mr Humphries: Discounting. They are discounting their prices, their premiums.
MR BERRY: That, Mr Humphries, is an inducement, and there is no evidence that that is occurring. There is no evidence to suggest that they are doing it. You try to weave that old web of deception. That is the entire game that you play, Mr Humphries. Everybody is a wake-up to you. For providing services to VITAB over this six-week period, ACTTAB has received some $25,000 in revenue. The Liberals would have us do away with that and give it back. They do not want the ACT to earn this revenue. The potential for this year is $500,000 to the ACT. There is a lot of jealousy out there about this good deal that the ACT has done. The money is going to be in the bag in the ACT. Other places, other States, had the opportunity to look at this Vanuatu deal and the ACT got the jump on them. Of course, there is a lot of jealousy about this issue, but the ACT has the money in the bag and I expect that some people are stinging.
Mr De Domenico: In the bookie's bag. That is where it is.
MR BERRY: Mr De Domenico demonstrates his complete ignorance about this matter again when he says, "In the bookie's bag". It is into the TAB coffers. That is where it is going. The money is going into the ACT Government-owned TAB. In broad terms ACTTAB and the Government revenue have been boosted by some $54,000 in total during the first six weeks of this arrangement. ACTTAB's one-off costs of some $10,000 have been covered already by this revenue. I would suggest that the evidence clearly indicates that VITAB is not poaching ACTTAB customers.
Mrs Carnell: Show us the contract.
MR BERRY: Have the Liberals any evidence? It is the same old story, Mrs Carnell. You are great at trying to create concern out there in the community and to whip up a lot of dust about particular issues, but you never come up with the goods, and when you use figures you are usually wrong.
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