Inquiry into Poker Machine Harm Minimisation Bill 2008
Reason for referral of the Bill and information relating to the
reference
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On 25 June 2008 the Senate, on the
recommendation of the Selection of Bills Committee, referred the Poker
Machine Harm Minimisation Bill 2008 to the Community Affairs Committee.
The inquiry into this Bill has been combined with the previously referred
Poker Machine Harm Reduction Tax (Administration) Bill 2008. The reporting
date is 10 November 2008.
Reasons provided for referral of the Bill and
the principal issues for consideration are:
Research into gambling shows
that targeted changes can cut rates of excessive gambling and that cutting
rates of excessive gambling is a very important part of addressing problem
gambling and allowing people to play the pokies with reduced harm.
Family First's Bill sets out a
number of harm minimisation measures such as limiting cash bets on poker
machines to $1 a spin, payout prizes to a maximum of $1,000, limiting ATM
withdrawals at gambling venues to $100 a day and introducing smart cards
with a $1000 fortnightly limit for those who want to play more powerful
machines up to $5 a spin.
The Bill and second reading speech may be
accessed via the link:
Legislation and documentation relating to the Bill
The Committee invites you to provide a
written submission addressing issues that may be of relevance to you. The
submission should be lodged by 8 August 2008. The Committee prefers to
receive submissions electronically as an attached document – email:
community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au – otherwise by fax (02 6277 5829).
Submissions become Committee
documents and are made public only after a decision by the Committee.
Publication of submissions includes loading them onto the internet and
their being available to other interested parties including the media.
Persons making submissions must not release them without the approval of
the Committee. Submissions are covered by parliamentary privilege but the
unauthorised release of them is not protected.
Information relating to Senate Committee
inquiries, including notes to assist in the preparation of submissions for
a Committee, can be located on the Internet at
https://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/wit_sub/index.htm
Should you require further information please
contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 3515.
E-mail: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au
For further information, contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia