Ms O’CONNOR – Minister, having a look at your diary, there is a meeting with the Federal Group on 7 February this year for an update on activities. Do you want to share with the committee what the update was about in the meeting?
Mr STREET – The meeting was about a range of issues that Federal was considering, one of them being the gaming reforms that have been announced. It would be fair to say that Federal is looking to be fairly proactive in this space. They understand the new system that is coming in, but they have some plans and ideas that they would like to put in place earlier than that as well, potentially, and that they wanted to talk to me about as minister. I was more than happy as a key stakeholder-
Ms O’CONNOR – That is interesting because when I was minister I had a meeting with Daniel Hanna from the Federal Group and they put forward a suite of proposals of, basically, them being responsible for harm minimisation which I rejected; but-
Mr STREET – I find that so hard to believe.
Ms O’CONNOR – It was quite a satisfying meeting, I might say. But you have responsibility for harm minimisation; so, in that exchange with the Federal Group, do you think there was a level of comfort or concern about the new harm minimisation measures which will be introduced including the card-based system and greater capacity for people to be excluded who have a gambling addiction.
Mr STREET – It’s fair to say that the representatives that I met with from the Federal Group were made aware that I have a responsibility as the Minister for Hospitality and Events to meet with them as a key stakeholder; but that I also have responsibilities as the Minister for Community Services and Development around harm minimisation as well.
Ms O’CONNOR – And although the Treasurer has administrative responsibility for the Gaming Commission, can you tell the committee what your role is in the framework that is being rolled out?
Mr STREET – The framework that the Treasurer announced?
Ms O’CONNOR – The harm minimisation framework
Mr STREET – My role as the Minister for Community Services and Development is that our department has oversight of the Community Support Levy. Now, 25 per cent of that, according to the regulations, will be dedicated to the sport and recreation area; the other 75 per cent is for community programs and harm minimisation area. My understanding, and I will hand to Kate Kent to detail this as well, is that the 75 per cent will be contestable funding, but the focus will be on harm minimisation and gambling support programs as well. I’m very comfortable we will deliver that well, in partnership with the committee service organisations. Pleasingly, there will be an increased amount of money because of the new regulations as well.
Ms O’CONNOR – Acknowledging that money comes out of the pocket of some of our poorest people.
Mr STREET – Exactly right.
Ms O’CONNOR – You also attended the 50th anniversary gala dinner for Wrest Point. I was quite shocked that the Greens did not receive an invitation; it was devastating but-
Mr STREET – What – just so you could say no?
Ms O’CONNOR – I would have said no; but there is no way they would ask!
CHAIR – Order.
Ms O’CONNOR – You went along to that gala dinner I guess knowing about the profound social impact that Wrest Point and that gambling regime which has been in place for decades has had on the Tasmanian community, particularly people on low incomes. Did you feel at all uncomfortable attending that dinner?
Mr STREET – No, I didn’t, Ms O’Connor. I was happy to accept as a key stakeholder in the Hospitality portfolio. The Federal Group is a significant employer across the state. We may have our philosophical differences, by that I don’t mean me and Federal, I mean yourself and I, on how Federal conduct its business, but it is a significant contributor to the Tasmanian economy. As Hospitality and Events minister, I thought it was perfectly acceptable of me to accept the invite and go along to the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Ms O’CONNOR – Did you get a bundle of gifts?
Mr STREET – I received a medal with my name on it, when I walked in, as did every person who attended. I believe as I was walking out, I was handed a box that had a bottle of wine and two glasses that had the Wrest Point logo on them, which have been declared.
Ms O’CONNOR – The medal with your name on it, what was that about, is that something to put on your chest?
Mr STREET – It was something that I had to hang round my neck when I walked in the door. I wasn’t uncomfortable being there, but hanging a medal round my neck with my name on it, wasn’t the most comfortable thing that I’ve ever done. Although it helped people recognise who I was.
Ms O’CONNOR – I’m sure everyone recognised you.
