By Christine
LEGISLATION that allows hotels with gambling machines to claim renovation costs as part of their community contribution has come under fire by the Greens.
The Greens have taken a swipe at the State Government’s definition of what constitutes community benefit.
Venues can claim employment costs, renovations and the installation of ATM machines as a community benefit under the regulations.
It is compulsory for hotels to contribute 8.3 per cent of their annual revenue towards the benefit of the community – venues other than hotels don’t have to meet that requirement.
Peter Cohen executive commissioner of the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation said the statements allow the community to ask the question “is the local venue putting enough back in” to the local area.
Colleen Hartland, the Greens Western Metropolitan candidate, called the Community Benefit Statement a “sham”.
“The Bracks Government encourages pokies venues to list just about any business expense from the pub or bistro area, even the bottle shop, as being for the “community benefit” so they can avoid paying the 33 per cent tax that pubs pay,” she said.
“I have no quarrel with some items, like footy clubs maintaining their ground or RSL clubs looking after their members.”
Ms Hartland listed four venues in the City of Maribyrnong that had made claims, which she believed were inappropriate.
“I cannot see any benefit to the community whatsoever of a $10,000 bottle shop sign or a venue’s $334,000 rent bill”.
She said gaming venues listing the installation of ATM machines as a community benefit “adds insult to injury”.
“It’s part of the Greens gambling pledge to remove all ATMs from gambling venues in our local area.”
A spokesperson for John Pandazopoulos, the Gaming, Racing and Tourism Minister, said the CBS scheme was introduced by the State Government three years ago to make sure all club and hotels in Victoria lodge a public statement.
“We wanted spending to be transparent,” he said.
“This allows the community to know what venues are doing on behalf or community.”
He said improvements to facilities in hotels and clubs are considered to be of community benefit because it improves the facility for the local community.
“Similarly, employment expenses can be claimed because of the jobs created in the local community.”
He said the system was constantly being reviewed and the need for future improvements to the system has not been ruled out.
