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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 12 Hansard (5 December) . . Page.. 3608 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

That money would go to the ACT Rugby Union. Similarly, it is my understanding that gate takings from matches at the West Belconnen Leagues Club go to the parent sporting body.

It is important to note that basically members of the public who are involved in these activities either as players or spectators and who are not members of the licensed club will benefit from the fact that the licensed club, the host club, provides facilities which are available to the public. I think this greatly contributes not only the sporting fabric of the territory but also to the social fabric of the territory. So this is a particularly good section of the guidelines.

The Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2000, which is effectively a new act, recognises the very extensive contribution made by many, but not all, licensed clubs. My colleague the Treasurer has brought in a provision for 5 per cent, rising to 7 per cent, because, whilst most clubs are doing a great job, there are some that could be doing better. The legislation certainly recognises the fact that there are in our community many clubs whose primary contribution under this scheme will be to the sporting fabric of the territory.

I want to place on the public record my appreciation for what they have done to date and for what is going to happen in the future. Their contributions, which this legislation addresses, will assist thousands of kids and other participants in the territory. The contributions they make will not only go towards helping improve our sporting prowess and increase our mass participation rates, which are the highest in the country, but also will impact on the social fabric of this territory of which sport is such an absolutely essential and important ingredient.

I am glad to see the provisions in the bill before the Assembly that relate to donations to sport being regarded as community contributions. A lot of people have been listened to and their fears have been allayed. What we have now on the table is a package which will be very beneficial to sport. Certainly, the fears of a lot of those clubs which initially some 12 months ago did have some concerns in this area have been allayed.

MR OSBORNE (11:22): This may well be my first debate in relation to poker machines in my six years in this place and I must admit to being a little bit nervous. I have been accused by Ms Tucker of being a coward on this issue because of my longstanding association with West Belconnen Leagues Club. Many times she has pointed her finger at me and said, "You have to vote on this" but I have taken what I consider to be the moral high ground and done the right thing and stayed out of it. But, unfortunately, I have been dragged back into this through my leaving West Belconnen. I have to say that, through my association not only with West Belconnen but other clubs in the ACT - the Vikings or Southern Cross clubs, for example - I am very aware of the contribution that sporting clubs make to the community.

I think that when this legislation is passed - and I will be supporting the legislation with a few little changes - the majority of clubs will far exceed the limit that is set. However, the fact still remains that the club industry does have a distinct advantage over many other businesses and organisations, and that is they have poker machines. I do not think anyone in this place would deny the amount of money that poker machines generate and also the damage that they potentially can do to families across the territory.

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