Page 4505 - Week 14 - Thursday, 1 December 1994

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The reason that the VITAB issue actually does impact upon this, Mr Lamont, is that we are concerned that the TAB, because of their own financial problems, will attempt basically to duckshove their financial problems onto the racing clubs. That is what our amendments are about. We are concerned that, if that is allowed to happen, then the TAB, which is in financial straits, could, under legislation, basically duckshove their financial problems onto the racing clubs without the racing clubs being able to have any input at all into that decision. If you could clarify those very simple issues, the Opposition could rethink our position on this.

MR LAMONT (Minister for Urban Services, Minister for Housing and Community Services, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (6.35): First of all, none of the amendments that you have moved this afternoon go to the questions that you have raised. You have agreed with this Bill in principle, and then you have said, "There are a number of concerns". You have moved the amendments. The amendments that you have moved do not address the issues.

Mrs Carnell: Because we believe that you can do it currently.

MR LAMONT: Let me go through and once again explain it to you. Mrs Carnell, you were probably outside with a piece of rope when all this started. The simple fact is this: If we do not follow the same dividend, so that the distribution - - -

Mrs Carnell: It goes from 85 to 90 per cent.

MR LAMONT: Do not interrupt.

Mrs Carnell: You interrupted me the whole time, Mr Lamont.

MR LAMONT: They are your questions. If you do not want the answers, I will not answer them. Ms Szuty, do you have any questions?

MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Lamont!

MR LAMONT: I will go through it again. I will use monosyllables so that you can understand, Mrs Carnell. The proposal is that, if we do not follow the distribution rate determined by Tabcorp, then ACTTAB, out of its take, makes up the difference. Is that correct?

Mrs Carnell: Yes.

MR LAMONT: Do you understand?

Mrs Carnell: Yes.

MR LAMONT: Are you with me?

Mr De Domenico: Yes.


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