❓ Opposition Leader asks the Leader of the National Party about the party's position on expanding gaming machines in regional areas, given conflicting statements from the Premier and the Minister for Racing and Gaming. The Leader of the National Party avoids a direct answer, stating the matter is under cabinet consideration and not a specific party policy.
AnsweredQoN 461Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GAMING MACHINES — REGIONAL AREAS
461. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Leader of the
National Party:
Before asking my question, can I pass
on the opposition's regards, and I am sure those of all members of
Parliament, to the Australian Islamic College for what occurred last night. I was
out there this morning and met with some of the senior staff at the school. I passed
on all of our regards, and our shock and abhorrence at the act of urban
terrorism that occurred at that school.
I refer to the differences between
the Premier and the Minister for Racing and Gaming on the introduction of
Trackside and Keno to TABs and regional clubs and pubs and the effect their
introduction would have on regional Western Australia.
(1) Does the
National Party support the minister's position of investigating the
introduction of these machines to TABs and regional pubs and clubs, or does it
support the Premier that there will be no further expansion of what currently
exists?
(2) Has the
Leader of the National Party received any advice on the social and cultural
impacts of expanding gaming machines into regional areas?
461. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Leader of the
National Party:
Before asking my question, can I pass
on the opposition's regards, and I am sure those of all members of
Parliament, to the Australian Islamic College for what occurred last night. I was
out there this morning and met with some of the senior staff at the school. I passed
on all of our regards, and our shock and abhorrence at the act of urban
terrorism that occurred at that school.
I refer to the differences between
the Premier and the Minister for Racing and Gaming on the introduction of
Trackside and Keno to TABs and regional clubs and pubs and the effect their
introduction would have on regional Western Australia.
(1) Does the
National Party support the minister's position of investigating the
introduction of these machines to TABs and regional pubs and clubs, or does it
support the Premier that there will be no further expansion of what currently
exists?
(2) Has the
Leader of the National Party received any advice on the social and cultural
impacts of expanding gaming machines into regional areas?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) Mr
Speaker, I seek your advice on the Leader of the Opposition's question.
It is my understanding that he can ask me a question outside a portfolio area that
relates to National Party policy. As I understand it, there is not a National
Party policy on this —
Several members interjected.
Mr
D.T. REDMAN : — but the Minister for Racing and Gaming —
The
SPEAKER : The member asked me a question. If there is no policy, then you
must answer that there is just no policy and move on.
Mr
D.T. REDMAN : Thanks, Mr Speaker. I will make the point that the Minister
for Racing and Gaming —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker —
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time.
Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. A quick answer,
thank you.
Mr
D.T. REDMAN : The Minister for Racing and Gaming has carriage of his portfolio
areas. It is my understanding that we do not have a particular policy on the
elements that he is progressing through a cabinet process.
Several members interjected.
Mr
D.T. REDMAN : Therefore, I do not think that the question is relevant to me.
Speaker, I seek your advice on the Leader of the Opposition's question.
It is my understanding that he can ask me a question outside a portfolio area that
relates to National Party policy. As I understand it, there is not a National
Party policy on this —
Several members interjected.
Mr
D.T. REDMAN : — but the Minister for Racing and Gaming —
The
SPEAKER : The member asked me a question. If there is no policy, then you
must answer that there is just no policy and move on.
Mr
D.T. REDMAN : Thanks, Mr Speaker. I will make the point that the Minister
for Racing and Gaming —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
D.T. REDMAN : Mr Speaker —
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time.
Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. A quick answer,
thank you.
Mr
D.T. REDMAN : The Minister for Racing and Gaming has carriage of his portfolio
areas. It is my understanding that we do not have a particular policy on the
elements that he is progressing through a cabinet process.
Several members interjected.
Mr
D.T. REDMAN : Therefore, I do not think that the question is relevant to me.
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