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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 3 Hansard (9 April) . . Page.. 825 ..

MS TUCKER (5.41): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) calls on the Government to appoint a Board of Inquiry pursuant to the Inquiries Act 1991 to inquire into the gambling industry in the ACT and in particular to review the industry and produce a comprehensive industry plan, having regard for the social and economic impacts of the industry. The issues to be examined will include:

(a) the creation of an Authority to regulate future growth and conduct in the industry;

(b) provision for ongoing funding for research, expanded education and prevention, counselling and community support services;

(c) limits on the number of gaming machine licences and the number of gaming machines; and

(d) consideration of extension of gaming machine licences to hotels and the casino; and

(2) is of the opinion that the Board should consult widely, taking care to consult with gambling consumers, organisations who assist problem gamblers, industry, and academics and experts in the field of gambling and problem gambling and could also take account of the approaches and experience of other jurisdictions.

Gambling is a major and rapidly growing industry. Governments all over Australia are increasingly depending on it for revenue. It is much easier than raising taxes. Governments believe that it is acceptable to the community to increase revenue in this way and so continue to support the gambling industry. There is, however, growing concern in the community that the gambling industry is out of control and that government is not acting responsibly, that politicians are more interested in the money and power of the gambling industry than in the downside, the social costs, and that society is paying an increasingly high price for this particular activity.

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