Gaming Reform Minister Dr Marisa Paterson (centre) with inquiry panel members John Body (ThinkPlace X partner) and Bobbi Campbell (Synergy Group partner). Photo: Supplied.
An inquiry examining how to diversify the revenue of Canberra’s community clubs can get down to business with its chair and consultancy support provider secured.
It will examine how to provide a pathway to ensure the industry’s sustainability over the next 20 years while easing its reliance on gaming machines.
“This inquiry is about supporting clubs to remain places of connection and belonging, while shaping a future that reduces the harm from poker machines in the ACT,” Gaming Reform Minister Dr Marisa Paterson said.
“We will continue to closely collaborate with clubs as they diversify their revenue, support their workforce and ensure they remain strong, community-oriented organisations.”
The Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission’s former CEO Annette Kimmitt will chair the inquiry, supported by members of ThinkPlaceX (part of Synergy Group), which secured the contract following an open tender process.
Talks with the clubs sector and other stakeholders were expected to begin shortly, as the procurement process meant the inquiry was already about two months behind schedule.
ClubsACT CEO Craig Shannon said he was “thrilled” with the announcement, but he would be seeking an extension of the inquiry’s timeframe given the delay.
“[This is] to allow it to be an effective, robust, and detailed inquiry allowing contributions from clubs and other stakeholder groups,” he said.
“It was the clubs industry that originally proposed this inquiry to all Assembly parties in the lead-up to the last election, so we are thrilled it’s finally getting off the ground.
”The outcomes of this process should allow a more evidence-based policy process by government going forward.”
Mr Shannon pointed out this was not all about focusing solely on gaming revenue.
“The social and economic role of the industry is the focus, and the role gaming revenue plays in that is important but not the only issue,” he said.
“If the community wants clubs to continue to fund community sports, community organisations and provide facilities for community use, this inquiry needs to map a way for that to happen.
“Otherwise, government will be required to fill the breach and will be required to fund these things directly that, in the absence of our industry, will very likely not exist as they currently do.”
The inquiry’s terms of reference are broad, and allow the panel to consider alternatives to support the clubs industry, such as tax and regulatory reforms, use of club land, potential ACT-NSW cross-border issues, skills and training requirements for the sector, and any potential impact that reduced pokies revenue would have on clubs, sporting clubs, the government and other stakeholders such as non-government organisations and facilities supported by club contributions.
Mr Shannon said he expected changes to taxes would have to be made to enable clubs to continue operating, and that the planning system, rates and lease variation costs would also need to be examined closely.
“We have raised this with government many times and have been given commitments that haven’t yet been delivered on in terms of making the system more effective,” he said.
“The slow pace of approvals is a very real impediment to diversification by clubs and there are real problems with the developers’ legislation that creates disincentives for clubs in this space.”
Mr Shannon encouraged the community to get involved with and watch the inquiry closely, as he described it as being as much about clubs as about the “social fabric” of Canberra.
“Sadly, you may only notice clubs more when they are no longer there, if a sustainable future isn’t possible, and we don’t think that will be a good thing for Canberra or its future generations,” he said.
The inquiry’s final report is expected by mid-2026.
