TELETRAK STRAIGHT LINE RACING PROPOSAL
The Hon. M. R. KERSTEN: I address my question without notice to the Minister for Public Works and Services. How does the Minister explain the letter of 24 April, which was signed by the Minister, to the Murray Shire Council in which he referred to TeleTrak straight line racing, when during debate on the issue yesterday he stated that he had not previously heard of TeleTrak? Further, how does the Minister explain his statement that the TeleTrak issue was not raised until yesterday, when he clearly acknowledged in this correspondence that the matter had previously been raised with him?
The Hon. R. D. DYER: I am sure that members know that I do not have a great interest in gambling. It may have some relationship to my religious background. I must confess, I sign many letters. However, I assure honourable members that I read them all carefully. I doubt that any member opposite would remember everything he or she read in every letter he or she signed, let alone in the many more letters that Ministers are required to sign. It is my sincere belief that I had not previously heard of this TeleTrak concept.
The Hon. M. R. Kersten: You commended them for the concept. You signed the letter.
The Hon. R. D. DYER: Yesterday I was speaking on behalf of my colleague in another place and I was telling the House what the Government’s
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policy is regarding the TeleTrak concept. That remains the position. The fact remains that the Government has a determined policy regarding TeleTrak so far as the gaming and racing industry is concerned, and I articulated that policy when I was speaking on the bill yesterday.