Page 2883 - Week 08 - Thursday, 17 August 2017
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surface of the University of Canberra public hospital is covered in cladding. During estimates I asked the direct question: was this the same material? The answer to the question on notice was a waffle through the government process of investigation, but there was no direct answer to the question in relation to the University of Canberra public hospital. So I put it on the record again now.
The minister needs to answer the question about the status of the University of Canberra public hospital and what sort of cladding is on it, because they do not yet have possession of that building. I think that they have not considered that building because it is not part of their estate yet. I have asked the direct question. The minister has failed to answer the question, and the minister needs to answer that question today.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Gambling harm minimisation
Ministerial statement
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for Regulatory Services, Minister for the Arts and Community Events and Minister for Veterans and Seniors) (10.55): Today I take the opportunity to set out for members of the Assembly and for the ACT community the government’s progress in implementing its commitment to preventing and minimising gambling harm.
During the election, and since the election, this government has proudly and firmly committed to find ways to reduce the impact of problem gambling in Canberra. For some time now we have had robust measures in place to regulate the industry. These include a daily limit of $250 on the amount that can be withdrawn from an ATM at a venue with electronic gaming machines; a prohibition on ATM and EFTPOS facilities at the casino premises, except where a debit card is used for food or drink purchases; an online gambling exclusion scheme to enable people to exclude themselves from any or all licensed venues; the free and confidential gambling counselling and support service; a ban on an official at the casino lending or extending credit to a person at the casino, and a similar restriction on club licensees and club employees; a ban on people under 18 entering the casino premises or the gaming area of clubs or hotels; and the requirement that staff involved in the provision of gambling services must have undertaken approved responsible conduct of gambling training within the past three years.
The government is hard at work on evaluating, and building on these existing measures to limit the harms that we recognise can be caused to our community through gambling. The impact of problem gambling on individuals and their families has been highlighted in recent months. A number of courageous individuals have shared their experiences very publicly. Their examples show us why it is important to keep focusing on harm minimisation and finding new ways to regulate gambling in the territory. Understanding how the current measures have or have not worked to prevent harm has informed the government’s consideration of further reforms, and we are grateful to those people who have been willing to share their stories so openly.
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