Mr BALCH - 1998-02-26
Last year, the New South Wales Labor government informed the Territory TAB of its decision to terminate the pooling agreement between the Territory TAB and the New South Wales TAB. Can the minister give details of the cost to the Territory taxpayer of this decision by the New South Wales branch of the Australian Labor Party?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the question gives me a chance to update honourable members as to where we are with the changeover of the TAB. I note that at no stage has the opposition contacted us to seek briefings on the impact on funding for the industry of this changeover. That is an indictment of the shadow minister. There will be an impact because the changeover of the TAB from New South Wales to Victoria has cost big dollars.
Mr Stirling: She has had briefings. You do not know what you are talking about.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ADAMSON: Members opposite are totally misrepresenting the situation. They are now trying to gloss over the fact that they have been totally silent on this issue. They have been totally silent about the fact that Territorians have had to fork out almost $0.5m already. Ultimately, it probably will be close to $0.75m ...
Mr Stirling: When did you go to a TAB and have a bet?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Stirling: You wouldn't know what they look like!
Mr ADAMSON: It would have been nice if, when he was the shadow minister, the member had done some lobbying of his mates in New South Wales to try to have this decision overturned. There was not a word from him. We had no cooperation whatsoever from members on that side. In fact, we had silence.
The decision by the New South Wales government to turf out the Northern Territory TAB was entirely political. It has cost Territorians in excess of $440 000. By the time we add the final costings, it is likely to be in excess of $0.75m. Unfortunately, that is money that we should not have had to spend. That it is an indictment of the politics of the east coast ...
Mr Bailey: You are the minister and it is our fault. I love the logic.
Mr ADAMSON: The New South Wales government has legislated to turf us out of the TAB. It was New South Wales ALP politics that saw us having to spend in excess, at this stage, of $440 000 and probably closer to $0.75m. Territorians have not been well served by members opposite in this regard.
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ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the question gives me a chance to update honourable members as to where we are with the changeover of the TAB. I note that at no stage has the opposition contacted us to seek briefings on the impact on funding for the industry of this changeover. That is an indictment of the shadow minister. There will be an impact because the changeover of the TAB from New South Wales to Victoria has cost big dollars.
Mr Stirling: She has had briefings. You do not know what you are talking about.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr ADAMSON: Members opposite are totally misrepresenting the situation. They are now trying to gloss over the fact that they have been totally silent on this issue. They have been totally silent about the fact that Territorians have had to fork out almost $0.5m already. Ultimately, it probably will be close to $0.75m ...
Mr Stirling: When did you go to a TAB and have a bet?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Stirling: You wouldn't know what they look like!
Mr ADAMSON: It would have been nice if, when he was the shadow minister, the member had done some lobbying of his mates in New South Wales to try to have this decision overturned. There was not a word from him. We had no cooperation whatsoever from members on that side. In fact, we had silence.
The decision by the New South Wales government to turf out the Northern Territory TAB was entirely political. It has cost Territorians in excess of $440 000. By the time we add the final costings, it is likely to be in excess of $0.75m. Unfortunately, that is money that we should not have had to spend. That it is an indictment of the politics of the east coast ...
Mr Bailey: You are the minister and it is our fault. I love the logic.
Mr ADAMSON: The New South Wales government has legislated to turf us out of the TAB. It was New South Wales ALP politics that saw us having to spend in excess, at this stage, of $440 000 and probably closer to $0.75m. Territorians have not been well served by members opposite in this regard.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016