Personal Explanation

Gambling Regulation

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (15:18): I seek leave to make a personal explanation regarding my questions about SkyCity Casino.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: I realise that SkyCity are friends of the Liberals.

The PRESIDENT: Order! You sought leave to make a personal explanation, and that does not include debate, so I ask you to make your explanation.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: Thank you, Mr President. I feel that I was grossly misrepresented in the response from the Treasurer. At no stage did I make any allegation or inference that SkyCity Casino has, or had, probity issues similar to that of Crown. To be clear, it is about ensuring that there is effective oversight of the Casino's operations and that it is operating in accordance with its licence.

I would acknowledge that since its operations began in 1985, matters that have arisen at Crown have not been detected here, but of course we would never know unless questions and assurances are sought, as I have asked today. I believe we need a standalone independent gambling regulator.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Pangallo, I think you have made your point. Standing order 175 does, obviously, allow you to do what you have done, but it does say quite clearly that the member shall not introduce any new matter in that explanation.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: I am not introducing any new matter.

The PRESIDENT: You are starting to bring in new matters.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: I will refrain from referring to the independent gambling regulator and what I just said, but I will say this—

The PRESIDENT: Stop the debate. The Hon. Mr Pangallo has made his explanation that he feels that he was misrepresented by the Treasurer.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: I was.

The PRESIDENT: I think that concludes it. There are no new matters to be brought in.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: Just to finalise that, there will not be any new matters.

The PRESIDENT: It had better be brief.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: I just want to make it clear that my questions are no different to those being asked within the community and indeed even by my former journalistic colleagues. Thank you.