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- 3 September 2003
Gaming Machine Tax
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Page: 3077
Mr STONER: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Gaming and Racing. As the Minister responsible for clubs, how can he justify his vote in caucus yesterday against a review of the Treasurer's club tax grab when that tax will result in 45 per cent of the State's clubs becoming unviable by 2010?
Mr McBRIDE: I welcome that question and point out to the Leader of the National Party, as I have pointed out previously, that taxation matters are directly the responsibility of the Treasurer. If the Leader of the National Party gives me the details of his question I am happy to take them to the Treasurer and obtain a reply for him.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Willoughby to order.
Mr McBRIDE: However, I inform him that gaming and machine tax is only one aspect of the clubs issue that is of serious concern to the club industry in New South Wales. If the honourable member thinks there are no other important issues, it shows his ignorance of the club industry. Debate on this issue is not complete unless we look at the responsibilities of our clubs. In 1997 I said that there needed to be clear guidelines for the club industry. I raised that issue when I was a member of the consultative committee that looked at the club industry and instituted the community development and support expenditure [CDSE] scheme. That was before his time. I appreciate that the Leader of the National Party would not know that fact. I was the Premier's representative on the committee that decided on the CDSE. At that time I pointed out that there was a need to develop a code of practice. Everyone in this Chamber who knows anything about the club industry would know that there needs to be a code of practice to protect the clubs and their members. As Minister, that was one of the first matters I raised in April in meetings with Clubs NSW. Since then I have consulted widely with the industry, including the chief executive officers, accountants, auditors, legal representatives, directors, staff, suppliers and members.
On the morning of 20 August this year I indicated to David Costello, the Chief Executive Officer of Clubs NSW, the Government's intention to advance a proposal for a task force to look at setting new guidelines for clubs. On the afternoon of 20 August I invited the Clubs NSW President, Pat Rogan, to chair that new group. The club industry recognises the need for those guidelines, and the Government has had discussions with the clubs since last April. The clubs regard the guidelines as important to the long-term survival of their industry, although the Leader of the National Party may not see them as important. However, I advise him that currently, in this same week, Clubs NSW representatives are talking with my staff and officers of the Department of Gaming and Racing on this very issue. They agreed that this matter is vitally important to the future of their industry.
I have looked after the future of Clubs NSW. That task force will comprise nine members, of whom five will be from the club industry. Importantly, my view on establishing a task force was supported by the clubs' representatives. I understand that last Thursday at a Clubs NSW council meeting that resolution was adopted. The council adopted the resolution that we have been negotiating since April. The club industry task force will look at a broad range of issues including code of conduct for clubs, a statement of objectives, reporting procedures, governments, probity for club directors, contract arrangements, and management agreements.
Mr Stoner: Point of order: My point of order is relevance. The Minister is waffling on with irrelevancies. Clearly, the question was about club tax and the Minister's vote in the Labor caucus yesterday against clubs.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order.
Mr McBRIDE: If the Leader of the National Party were genuinely interested in the club industry he would support this important initiative. Clubs NSW is talking with my advisers to put this in place. If they were not concerned about it, they would not be meeting with us. This is about working together with clubs and the community to ensure appropriate services and facilities are provided for local communities. The task force will report back to me on the most effective means of establishing a club charter, or code of practice. This will ensure that clubs are fully accountable to their communities. That is something everyone in this House would want. The clubs are fully accountable to their community.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Coffs Harbour to order.
Mr McBRIDE: The report will form the basis of legislation that I will bring to this House for debate. The Government is serious about reform of the club industry. It will be done co-operatively and constructively and it will be led by the industry itself. The winners from this process will be the clubs, their members and the broader community.
Mr Stoner: Half of them will be gone.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Leader of the National Party to order.
Mr McBRIDE: Clubs NSW believes this is an important initiative in the context of the long-term future of clubs in our State.
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