Mr BARRETT - 2015-04-29
Would you please update the House on how the $11m budget announcement for the Community Benefit Fund will be a big advantage to Territorians?
ANSWER
Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. You are aware this is a good news budget and this is another part of the good news from this budget. As we heard from the Treasurer, it is thoroughly endorsed by the industry and community groups; they are all happy with the CLP budget.
You are right, Budget 2015-16 is producing some big winners, being the community groups, not-for-profit organisations and grassroots organisations.
The Community Benefit Fund has had an $8m increase. That extra funding will be raised by requiring casinos to pay a 10% pokie profit levy, as Territory pubs do, matching what is already paid by pubs and hotels.
A 10% pokie profit levy is already received by the Community Benefit Fund, which distributed more than $2m last year.
The Giles government believes it is only fair that casinos make the same levy contribution, and we are making an even playing field for them. That extra revenue will be directed solely to the existing Community Benefit Fund, then given to organisations, great and small, from museums and orchestras to toy libraries and swimming clubs. We are advertising for more positions on the committee. More money means more grants and therefore, due to the $8m increase to the Community Benefit Fund, we are broadening the scope of applicants.
This extra funding will hugely increase the support the Northern Territory government gives to grassroots community organisations. They are the volunteers who keep the system going.
The Community Benefit Fund also provides valuable funding for gambling amelioration programs and organisations. The Northern Territory government is investing over $2m in gambling amelioration programs through the Community Benefit Fund, which provides funding support for key communication providers such as Amity Community Services and Somerville Community Services.
These services provide vital ongoing harm minimisation treatment for people affected by problem gaming. Most people are responsible gamblers; however, there is a need for those with a problem. There is a fantastic opportunity for non-for-profit organisations and volunteer community groups to gain financial support from the Giles government through the Community Benefit Fund. I encourage all of those organisations to consider applying for a grant in the future.
For those interested, I will read out the contact details to include in the Hansard: www.nt.gov.au/cbf or 1300 650 153, which is a free call.
This is another good thing the government is doing.
ANSWER
Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for Blain for his question. You are aware this is a good news budget and this is another part of the good news from this budget. As we heard from the Treasurer, it is thoroughly endorsed by the industry and community groups; they are all happy with the CLP budget.
You are right, Budget 2015-16 is producing some big winners, being the community groups, not-for-profit organisations and grassroots organisations.
The Community Benefit Fund has had an $8m increase. That extra funding will be raised by requiring casinos to pay a 10% pokie profit levy, as Territory pubs do, matching what is already paid by pubs and hotels.
A 10% pokie profit levy is already received by the Community Benefit Fund, which distributed more than $2m last year.
The Giles government believes it is only fair that casinos make the same levy contribution, and we are making an even playing field for them. That extra revenue will be directed solely to the existing Community Benefit Fund, then given to organisations, great and small, from museums and orchestras to toy libraries and swimming clubs. We are advertising for more positions on the committee. More money means more grants and therefore, due to the $8m increase to the Community Benefit Fund, we are broadening the scope of applicants.
This extra funding will hugely increase the support the Northern Territory government gives to grassroots community organisations. They are the volunteers who keep the system going.
The Community Benefit Fund also provides valuable funding for gambling amelioration programs and organisations. The Northern Territory government is investing over $2m in gambling amelioration programs through the Community Benefit Fund, which provides funding support for key communication providers such as Amity Community Services and Somerville Community Services.
These services provide vital ongoing harm minimisation treatment for people affected by problem gaming. Most people are responsible gamblers; however, there is a need for those with a problem. There is a fantastic opportunity for non-for-profit organisations and volunteer community groups to gain financial support from the Giles government through the Community Benefit Fund. I encourage all of those organisations to consider applying for a grant in the future.
For those interested, I will read out the contact details to include in the Hansard: www.nt.gov.au/cbf or 1300 650 153, which is a free call.
This is another good thing the government is doing.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016