Mr BALCH - 1997-12-01
As members are aware, the pooling agreement between the New South Wales and Territory TABs terminates in February next year. Have there been any developments in finding an alternative pool?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a matter of particular interest to the many punters in the Northern Territory. I have been asked on a number of occasions where we stand with the termination of this agreement. It is a fact that the Northern Territory TAB was issued 6 months notice that New South Wales was terminating its long-term agreement, an agreement that could be terminated with 6 months notice by either side. As a result, officers of the Racing and Gaming Commission have been investigating the possibility of linking up, as we have in the past, with the Victorian TAB through the now-privatised TABcorp. In fact, that is exactly what will be happening. Negotiations are all but finalised. Once again, the Northern Territory TAB will be linked through the ACT into the
Page 43
TABcorp pool.
Most products on offer will be the same, but TABcorp is currently upgrading its computer system and we expect an even wider variety of products to be available as time goes by. Last week’s Financial Review gave some interesting insights into the performances of the New South Wales and Victorian TABs and how far ahead Victoria has gone, particularly since the privatisation.
The only problem with all this is that we were forced into this situation in the first place. We were forced into this situation because of politics - specifically ALP politics. It is unfortunate that the time and money of the Northern Territory TAB is being wasted unnecessarily because the New South Wales ALP did not like some of the things that were happening in the Northern Territory. It is unfortunate that we had no cooperation whatsoever from the opposition in trying to convince their Labor mates in New South Wales to change this decision. Consequently, we will have to spend money changing the system - money that could have gone into racing here in the Northern Territory - because of the New South Wales TAB. The opposition has been deafening in its silence in condemning this, and has been totally uncooperative in trying to have the situation changed.
We will be going back to a situation we had in the past. The service will be maintained to the Northern Territory punters and the major pools that make punting so attractive will be maintained. The only disappointing aspect is that we are in this situation because of ALP policy. It is unfortunate that members opposite have demonstrated not only a total lack of leadership, but apparently also a total disregard for Northern Territory punters. Obviously, they have had to go along silently, compliantly and complacently with their Labor mates in New South Wales. That is a shame.
Page 44
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, this is a matter of particular interest to the many punters in the Northern Territory. I have been asked on a number of occasions where we stand with the termination of this agreement. It is a fact that the Northern Territory TAB was issued 6 months notice that New South Wales was terminating its long-term agreement, an agreement that could be terminated with 6 months notice by either side. As a result, officers of the Racing and Gaming Commission have been investigating the possibility of linking up, as we have in the past, with the Victorian TAB through the now-privatised TABcorp. In fact, that is exactly what will be happening. Negotiations are all but finalised. Once again, the Northern Territory TAB will be linked through the ACT into the
Page 43
TABcorp pool.
Most products on offer will be the same, but TABcorp is currently upgrading its computer system and we expect an even wider variety of products to be available as time goes by. Last week’s Financial Review gave some interesting insights into the performances of the New South Wales and Victorian TABs and how far ahead Victoria has gone, particularly since the privatisation.
The only problem with all this is that we were forced into this situation in the first place. We were forced into this situation because of politics - specifically ALP politics. It is unfortunate that the time and money of the Northern Territory TAB is being wasted unnecessarily because the New South Wales ALP did not like some of the things that were happening in the Northern Territory. It is unfortunate that we had no cooperation whatsoever from the opposition in trying to convince their Labor mates in New South Wales to change this decision. Consequently, we will have to spend money changing the system - money that could have gone into racing here in the Northern Territory - because of the New South Wales TAB. The opposition has been deafening in its silence in condemning this, and has been totally uncooperative in trying to have the situation changed.
We will be going back to a situation we had in the past. The service will be maintained to the Northern Territory punters and the major pools that make punting so attractive will be maintained. The only disappointing aspect is that we are in this situation because of ALP policy. It is unfortunate that members opposite have demonstrated not only a total lack of leadership, but apparently also a total disregard for Northern Territory punters. Obviously, they have had to go along silently, compliantly and complacently with their Labor mates in New South Wales. That is a shame.
Page 44
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016