CASINO CONTROL AMENDMENT (CHEQUES) BILL
Second Reading
Debate resumed from 15 May.
Mr TURNER (Myall Lakes) [8.51]: The Opposition supports the bill, which extends the time within which the Sydney Harbour Casino is required to bank certain cheques paid into a patron's deposit account held by the casino. I understand that this is a procedural matter arising from representations made to the Minister for Gaming and Racing by the casino to make it more competitive with other casinos in Australia. I note that proposed amendments to section 75 change the requirement imposed on the casino to bank cheques other than travellers cheques paid into a patron's deposit account so that cheques drawn on an account located outside Australia must be banked within 20 working days; cheques for $5,000 or more that are drawn on an account located in Australia must be banked within 10 working days; and all other cheques must be banked within one working day. The requirement that the casino must not agree to redeem cheques for the purpose of avoiding the banking requirement remains. The bill is designed to bring the casino into line with current practices in other casinos in Australia. It reflects current casino practices and is a tidying-up amendment, as I understand it.
Mr FACE (Charlestown - Minister for Gaming and Racing, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Hunter Development) [8.52], in reply: I thank the honourable member for Myall Lakes for expressing the Opposition's support. To give a comparison for historic purposes of cheque-cashing periods required in other jurisdictions, by leave I will incorporate a table in Hansard.
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CHEQUE CASHING PERIODS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS
Cheque cashing requirements in other casino jurisdictions are not as onerous, as shown by the following table:
Location International Domestic Cheques
Cheques (Business Days)
(Business Days)
Sydney 1 (currently) 1 (currently)
Sydney 20 (proposed) 10 for cheques
$5,000 or more.
For all other
cheques, 1 day
Darwin 10 10
Adelaide 15 15
Melbourne 20 5
Queensland 20 5
Perth 20 10
Atlantic City, USA 45 45
Las Vegas, USA 180 180
Macau 180 180
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Mr FACE: I believe the bill is a step in the right direction to make New South Wales more competitive, and I commend it to the House.
Motion agreed to.
Bill read a second time and passed through remaining stages.
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