Parmar Parmjeet: Gambling Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParmar Parmjeet: Gambling Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Reading[Sitting date: 24 February 2015. Volume:703;Page:1852. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr PARMJEET PARMAR (National): Thank you for the opportunity to continue my call to speak on the third reading of the Gambling Amendment Bill (No 2). I was saying that the amendments in the bill are consistent with the intent of the Act which is to minimise harm from gambling. The number of pokie machines has actually decreased significantly since 2003. The National Government is aware of issues that arise due to gambling and it is always making sure that it is putting provisions in place to reduce the harm that can be caused by gambling. I also acknowledged that the behaviour of some class 4 gambling societies has not been as it should be. The Government recently announced a range of reforms to class 4 gambling. Other improvements to the regulation of class 4 gambling will be made through a new amendment bill which was introduced in May 2014. The changes will give the public better information on grant-making decisions and reduce the opportunities for personal gain from conflicts of interest.Supplementary Order Paper 454 adds value but we do not support Supplementary Order Paper 478 which amends clause 5 and we do not support Supplementary Order Paper 84 as this Supplementary Order Paper has similarities to the Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill—a member’s bill the Flavell bill—which sought to amend the Gambling Act 2003 the parent Act. The Flavell bill was passed with some amendments in December 2013. The amendments in Supplementary Order Paper 84 to clauses 22 22AA 40 41 new 41A and 42 are now already in effect. The select committee’s report on the bill did not support the change in clause 5 and the amendment was deleted from the bill. The amendment in Supplementary Order Paper 84 to clause 28 appears to be targeted at an issue that arose around the time when the Supplementary Order Paper was tabled. Some gaming machines were being placed in open areas of venues so that gamblers could smoke while playing the machines but this is not relevant any more. The amendments in Supplementary Order Paper 84 to clauses 47 and 52 are about increasing the penalties for not using gaming funds for community purposes and for those managing venues for breaching conflict of interest provisions. There is no justification for these increases. The definition of the words “gaming machine” is amended and this is to clarify items that do not need the same level of regulation as a gaming machine.The amendments to the Act will make sure that gambling operators know their obligations. The venue manager rather than the holder of the venue licence will be required to display a notice in the gambling area advising customers that the venue has a policy of identifying problem gamblers. All these measures are important as most of these cases of a problem with addiction to gambling do not recognise it themselves. There are multiple steps to inhibit the action of gambling if it is found to be a problem for someone. One of the main actions in place is that operators are required to keep records of every single person prohibited from their venues as well as having to provide the Secretary for Internal Affairs with any information on a person if it is required. This information is to be provided in such a way that the privacy of the individual is not breached yet there is sufficient information to track down or locate this person. The good thing about this is that the exclusion of problem gamblers restricts them from accessing the gambling area only rather than the entire venue so this also allows the person not to be restricted as such for other activities.For gambling licensees and applicants the conflict of interest safeguards will be for all persons making decisions regarding gaming machine grants rather than just a select few key people in management. The suitability criteria for those applying for a licence to operate non-casino gaming machines will include relevant and serious crimes and any other offences under other legislation. Currently they are restricted only to crimes involving dishonesty. This will make sure that the operators have credibility and understand the importance of enforcement of the legislation. Given this bill is about making sure we look after those who can get into the trap of gambling addiction I support the bill and commend the bill to the House. Again as I am not a part of the Government Administration Committee which considered this bill it has been a great privilege to be able to make a contribution to this bill. Thank you.