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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 4 Hansard (22 April) . . Page.. 1124 ..
By Mr Osborne (continuing):
2) takes account of school location and student travel needs, and
3) is fair and just, for all students and supports choice in schooling.
Petition received.
MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer) (10.32): In accordance with standing order 152, I move:
That orders of the day Nos 1 and 2, Executive business, relating to the Crimes (Amendment) Bill (No. 7) 1998 and the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) (Amendment) Bill 1998, respectively, be discharged from the notice paper.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
MS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (10.33): Mr Speaker, I present the Gaming Machine (Amendment) Bill 1999, together with its explanatory memorandum.
Title read by Clerk.
MS CARNELL: I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
Mr Speaker, this Bill amends the Gaming Machine Act 1987 to provide for a compulsory minimum level of community contribution by clubs from net gaming machine revenue. The proposals contained in this Bill represent the Government's ongoing commitment to ensuring that all clubs fulfil their obligation to the community. Clubs currently enjoy a monopoly in gaming machines. In return for this monopoly access, it is the Government's view that clubs should have an obligation to return some of their gaming machine benefits to the general community.
As you may be aware, the report from the Commissioner for ACT Revenue showed that in 1997-98 clubs donated $9.43m, or 7.45 per cent, of their gross gaming machine revenue to a wide range of community activities and purposes. The Government acknowledges the valuable contribution made by many clubs to the community. But it is disappointing that a number of clubs made little or no effort in contributing to worthwhile causes. Of particular concern is the low priority given by the industry as a whole to the support of charity and welfare groups. Less than one per cent of the gross gaming revenue, or about $1m, was donated to this valued sector of the community in 1997-98.
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