❓ Mrs. Hayden questions the Minister about concerns from various organisations regarding the Premier's alleged broken promise on Trackside gambling. The Minister denies receiving direct concerns and highlights the government's support for financial counselling services.
AnsweredQoN 818Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GAMBLING — FINANCIAL COUNSELLING
818. Mrs
A.K. HAYDEN to the Minister for Community Services:
I refer to the Premier's
promise to always oppose the proliferation of gambling in our communities. Is
the minister aware of any concerns from the Western Australian Council of
Social Service, the Financial Counsellors Association of Western Australia, the
Australian Medical Association, Centrecare or any other organisations regarding
the Premier's now broken promise on Trackside; and, if so, what were
their concerns?
818. Mrs
A.K. HAYDEN to the Minister for Community Services:
I refer to the Premier's
promise to always oppose the proliferation of gambling in our communities. Is
the minister aware of any concerns from the Western Australian Council of
Social Service, the Financial Counsellors Association of Western Australia, the
Australian Medical Association, Centrecare or any other organisations regarding
the Premier's now broken promise on Trackside; and, if so, what were
their concerns?
AnswerView source ↗
I am very happy to confirm that the Western
Australian Council of Social Service and the Financial Counsellors Association
of Western Australia have not raised any concerns with me at all about these
issues. They have both made public comments, but they certainly have not raised
any concerns with me. We have a very constructive relationship and I regularly speak to WACOSS and the Financial
Counselling Network and the Financial Counsellors Association. Of
course, they understand our credibility in this area because under the Barnett
government there would have been a complete dismantling of financial
counselling advice in the metropolitan region. It is no good the member shaking
her head because that is exactly —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister for
Sport and Recreation, I call you to order for the first time.
Ms S.F. McGURK : That is
exactly what the Barnett government wanted to do; it wanted to abolish all
financial counselling in the metropolitan area. It was only after a concerted
campaign by the community, supported by members on this side of the house, that
we were able to get some of those financial counsellors reinstated in the
metropolitan area, but not all of them, under the previous Liberal–National
government —
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
The SPEAKER : Listen to the
answer.
Ms S.F. McGURK : We were able
to reinstate them completely once we were in government. I am very proud of the
commitment that we made to financial counselling throughout the state. By
supporting that sector, we have been able to increase the sophistication of the
response. A call centre now operates that can deal with calls as they come through
and there is increased training and the like. As a result of extra funding from
our government, the association has a scholarship system whereby people can be
trained in financial counselling. I am very pleased about that. To answer the
member's question, none of those concerns about problem gambling have
been raised with me as a minister.
Australian Council of Social Service and the Financial Counsellors Association
of Western Australia have not raised any concerns with me at all about these
issues. They have both made public comments, but they certainly have not raised
any concerns with me. We have a very constructive relationship and I regularly speak to WACOSS and the Financial
Counselling Network and the Financial Counsellors Association. Of
course, they understand our credibility in this area because under the Barnett
government there would have been a complete dismantling of financial
counselling advice in the metropolitan region. It is no good the member shaking
her head because that is exactly —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister for
Sport and Recreation, I call you to order for the first time.
Ms S.F. McGURK : That is
exactly what the Barnett government wanted to do; it wanted to abolish all
financial counselling in the metropolitan area. It was only after a concerted
campaign by the community, supported by members on this side of the house, that
we were able to get some of those financial counsellors reinstated in the
metropolitan area, but not all of them, under the previous Liberal–National
government —
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
The SPEAKER : Listen to the
answer.
Ms S.F. McGURK : We were able
to reinstate them completely once we were in government. I am very proud of the
commitment that we made to financial counselling throughout the state. By
supporting that sector, we have been able to increase the sophistication of the
response. A call centre now operates that can deal with calls as they come through
and there is increased training and the like. As a result of extra funding from
our government, the association has a scholarship system whereby people can be
trained in financial counselling. I am very pleased about that. To answer the
member's question, none of those concerns about problem gambling have
been raised with me as a minister.
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