Racing Bill

I just bring the Committee’s attention to new clause 63A, which is a significant clause and one that I promoted at the select committee. One of the areas we need to look at in racing is giving the boards the opportunity to think outside the square, and for clubs to be able to run and be involved in—with the approval of the Minister, as stated in the clause—running a race meeting. There may well be individuals who want to put up stakes of, if you like, $100,000. At the moment a person cannot do that, but new clause 63A allows that to happen. It also allows the board to be able to be involved in gaming issues, which is covered in clause 59 in Part 6. I do not know what the impact of the Responsible Gambling Bill will be on clause 59, but we will be waiting to see, with interest. Because that will have a big impact on how the board operates, whether it operates its own race meetings and how it will operate with gaming machines. We will be waiting to see that one when it comes in. Certainly, it will have an impact. I think clause 63A is an important one, because it allows investment in the industry; it allows someone to come in, with the Minister’s approval, and say: “I believe I can run a race meeting. Let’s go and do it.”

Part 7 agreed to.

Part 8

agreed to.

Schedules