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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-16 Daily Xml
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GAMING MACHINES (HOURS OF OPERATION) AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction and First Reading

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (10:47): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Gaming Machines Act 1992. Read a first time.

Second Reading

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (10:47): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

It is nearly a year since I first introduced this bill in the house. This bill seeks to makes uniform the close-down period for the operation of gaming machines (outside the casino). Between 3am and 9am they would have to close for that six-hour period. I remind the house that, currently under the gaming machines legislation, gaming venues must not operate for six hours in every 24-hour period, and that can be one six-hour period, two three-hour periods or three two-hour periods.

My view is that having gaming machines operating throughout our suburbs at 4, 5, 6 and 7 o'clock in the morning is not something that we need, nor is it desirable. I think there does need to be a clear break in play. Under the current legislation it is possible for venues in suburbs to ensure that one venue is always open by the way they can stagger their breaks and, therefore, if someone does have a gambling problem they have the opportunity to continue on their merry way 24/7.

The bill is not perfect—I accept that—because the casino can still operate, but I doubt that many people at 3 o'clock in the morning are going to drive from Elizabeth, Christies Beach, or even closer suburbs, to the casino. I think there is a fair chance they might go home or go on to other activities.

It has been a year since I introduced this bill, and the government has not expressed a view about it. It has not even had the courage or courtesy to inform us whether it will be a conscience vote for the Labor Party on this matter. I hope that we will have a vote on this matter this side of Christmas. I think a year is ample time for the government to either accept or reject the principle. It is not a complicated matter. The government has been promising reform to gambling for some time and simply has not delivered. I do not think the reduction in the number of poker machines has delivered the outcomes the Premier promised, and I think this reform goes some way to providing a better balance in the operation of gaming machines. Again, I hope the house might have the good sense to support it.

Debate adjourned on motion of Ms Breuer.

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