Page 3319 - Week 09 - Thursday, 24 August 2017
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time period, the minister will not be permitted to take action in relation to the draft variation until either the committee reports on the variation or six months has passed since the referral of the draft variation to the committee, whichever is earlier, as is currently the case under the Planning and Development Act.
The obligation to refer draft variations to the committee will not apply to special variations or to technical variations under part 5.4 of the Planning and Development Act, as these amendments are minor in nature.
This is only a small bill, but it is an important one. It improves the safety of the community by introducing new planning requirements for the storage of dangerous substances if the quantities are sufficient to be a potential hazard to the community and the environment. The amendments relating to the contaminated land reduce red tape without compromising the scrutiny of environmental impacts of a proposal involving contaminated land or a reduction in public safety. The compulsory referral by the minister of draft Territory Plan variations to the relevant committee of the Assembly honours a government agreement. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mr Wall) adjourned to the next sitting.
Casino (Electronic Gaming) Bill 2017
Mr Ramsay, pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory statement and a Human Rights Act compatibility statement.
Title read by Clerk.
MR RAMSAY (Ginninderra—Attorney-General, Minister for Regulatory Services, Minister for the Arts and Community Events and Minister for Veterans and Seniors) (10.57): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
I am pleased to introduce the Casino (Electronic Gaming) Bill 2017 into the Assembly today. This bill addresses matters that fall within my responsibilities as Attorney-General for racing and gaming policy. The government, through the Chief Minister, is currently considering an unsolicited proposal by Aquis Entertainment to redevelop Casino Canberra. Negotiations on that proposal are ongoing but I want to be clear that today’s bill is not based on the outcome of any specific redevelopment proposal.
This bill provides a robust legislative framework, including specific harm minimisation measures, for an increased electronic gaming offering in any proposal for casino redevelopment, whether as part of the existing proposal or a future one. Electronic gaming products include gaming machines and fully automated table games, or FATGs.
The bill provides for an upper limit of 200 gaming machines and 60 FATG terminals. Just like the clubs, the casino licensee will have to undertake a social impact
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