[Greens-Media] Clubs cry poor and govt jumps

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - Media Release - 1 August 2008

Clubs cry poor and govt jumps

Greens NSW MP Lee Rhiannon says the offer by Gaming Minister Graham West to give tax concessions to clubs that report reduced profits because of a smoking ban is overgenerous and follows the industry's pattern of making big donations to NSW Labor over the years.

"Minister Graham West's offer to delay tax payments for clubs reporting a 14 percent or more drop in profits is a sign of a successful political donations campaign at work," said Ms Rhiannon.

"Clubs donated $382,850 to the NSW government between 2003-2007. Of this $844,714, $512,692 came from the clubs lobby group, Clubs NSW.

"Over the years the government has shown itself to be vulnerable to noise made by the clubs industry about profits and taxes.

"It is inconsistent for the government to offer clubs a tax lifeline but not other struggling businesses.

"Let's remember that the 75 percent smoking ban imposed on clubs is a Claytons ban, with covered outdoor areas still open to smokers.

"If anything, Premier Iemma should be moving to ban smoking in clubs completely.

"For too long clubs in NSW have made a mint from people's gambling and smoking addictions," Ms Rhiannon said. 

For more information: Greens MP Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Visit the Greens donations project at www.democracy4sale.org 


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au