Gambling Advisory Committee

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:37): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government, representing the Premier, questions regarding the gambling advisory committee.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: Last year during the debate on the Statutes Amendment Gambling Reform Bill, I moved amendments which were developed in consultation with SACOSS for the establishment of a gambling advisory committee. The amendments sought to do two things. The first was to create a gambling advisory committee to be made up of two representatives from the hotel and club industries and two representatives from the charitable and social welfare organisations. The committee would provide advice to the minister in relation to his or her functions as they relate to the Gamblers' Rehabilitation Fund.

Secondly, the amendments required the minister to appoint a gambling advisory officer to be chosen from one of the charitable or social welfare organisations. The gambling advisory officer would act as a conduit between the care sector and the minister. They would be able to provide consumer advocacy and offer advice based on feedback from NGOs and problem gamblers themselves. They would, in effect, fill the gap that currently exists in this area as a result of resourcing issues.

The aim of the amendments was to even up the playing field between NGOs and the pokies barons by enabling representatives from the charitable and social welfare organisations to provide advice to the minister in relation to the performance of his or her functions when it comes to gambling related matters. The amendments were agreed to with the support of the government. Yesterday, the Premier was quoted by the media as saying that the government wants to get rid of sludge and those boards and committees that are no longer relevant. My questions to the Premier are:

1. What has changed since September last year that made the gambling advisory committee irrelevant before it even got up and running?

2. Why has the government decided to pull the plug on this measure?

3. Who did the Premier consult with over this decision?

4. Will the Premier now reconsider the abolition of the committee and, if not, why not?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:39): I thank the member for his most important questions and will refer them to the appropriate minister in the other place and bring back a response.