Latest News• Add My News • Search Old News Gippsland › Latest news › Philip DavisOpposition Announces Gaming License InquiryThe Liberal Party today announced a Legislative Council inquiry into gaming licensing in Victoria. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Philip Davis said today all non-government parties had agreed in principle on the proposed Terms of Reference for the inquiry. "Victorians spent more than $1.2 billion last financial year on lotteries and more than $2.4 billion on electronic gaming machines," Mr Davis said. "This is a vast, pervasive industry that employs thousands of Victorians. It is imperative that the licensing processes are transparent and beyond reproach. "But Labor’s bungling has led to continual delays in awarding the new lotteries licences. "Just before Christmas last year, further delays arising from probity concerns necessitated a 12-month extension of Tattersall’s lottery license until June 2008 – an extension for which Victorian taxpayers will get no premium payment. Mr Davis said the public lotteries licensing process had already identified serious probity issues and had been the subject of dispute between the Solicitor-General and the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation. "The role played by senior Labor Party figures in the licensing process and their dealings with members of the Bracks Government also raise serious concerns." Mr Davis said the inquiry was essential for Victorians and the gaming industry to have confidence in the probity and propriety of the lotteries and electronic gaming machine process. "The inquiry will also investigate community concerns about Labor’s regulation of gambling in "It will also examine the transparency of the Community Support Fund, which is funded through electronic gaming machine taxes." Mr Davis acknowledged the co-operation and input from the Australian Greens, Democratic Labor Party and Nationals in the Legislative Council, which will enable the inquiry to proceed.
(Please find attached the proposed Terms of Reference) Media enquiries: Wendy Collins-Dee 5143 1038 or 0407 817 763 SELECT COMMITTEE ON GAMING LICENSING Mr Philip Davis I give notice that, on the next day of meeting, I will move — That — (1) A Select Committee of 7 members be appointed to inquire into and report on — (a) the conduct, processes and circumstances (including but not limited to the probity thereof) pertaining to post-2008 public lotteries licensing in Victoria pursuant to the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (the Act) and any related matter; (b) the conduct, processes and circumstances (including but not limited to the probity thereof) pertaining to the extension of Tattersall’s public lotteries licence until (c) the conduct, processes and circumstances (including but not limited to the probity thereof) pertaining to post-2012 Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) operator licensing in Victoria pursuant to the Act, and any related matter; (d) the adequacy or otherwise of the legislative and regulatory framework pertaining to the number, location, distribution and specification of EGMs in (e) the effectiveness or otherwise of current measures to minimise and address the incidence of problem gambling in Victoria, the merits of alternative measures and any related matter; (f) the financial position of the Community Support Fund (the Fund) described in the Act, including, but not limited to: (i) payments into the Fund under section 10.3.2 of the Act (and its predecessors); (ii) payments from the Fund under section 10.3.3 of the Act (and its predecessors); and (iii) the criteria, processes and methodology for the selection of projects funded by payments referred to in sub-paragraph (ii) above; and (g) any other associated matters dealing with gaming licensing issues. (2) The Committee will consist of 2 members from the Government Party nominated by the Leader of the Government, 2 members from the Opposition nominated by the Leader of the Opposition, 1 member from The Nationals nominated by the Leader of The Nationals, 1 member from the Australian Greens nominated by the Australian Greens Whip and Mr. Peter Kavanagh MLC from the Democratic Labor Party. (3) The members will be appointed by lodgement of the names with the President by the persons referred to in paragraph (2) no later than (4) The first meeting of the Committee must be held no later than (5) The Committee may proceed to the despatch of business notwithstanding that all members have not been appointed and not withstanding any vacancy. (6) 4 members of the Committee will constitute a quorum of the Committee. (7) The Committee will advertise its terms of reference and call for submissions and all such submissions received by the Committee will be treated as public documents unless the Committee otherwise orders. (8) The Committee may commission persons to investigate and report to the Committee on any aspects of its inquiry. (9) The presentation of a report or interim report of the Committee will not be deemed to terminate the Committee’s appointment, powers or functions. (10) The foregoing provisions of this resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the Standing Orders and Sessional Orders or practices of the Council will have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing or Sessional Orders or practices of the Council. Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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