The Comrade for Lahner Co-Vay ;-*

Following on from a reasonable speech from George Souris on the GAMING MACHINES AMENDMENT (TEMPORARY FREEZE) BILL 2008, the comrade for Lane Cove ( Lahner Co-Vay, dahlinks ;-* ). Anthony Roberts tonight not only let eveyone know that he doesn't read notices of motion, but also promoted John Thorpe AM to an AO.

"I am concerned that the bill has been brought on suddenly today with very little notification not only to the Opposition but also to the Australian Hotels Association and clubs. I put on the record and recognise that this is of such great concern to the AHA that its president, Mr John Thorpe, AO, has come here in high dudgeon once he realised the bill had been brought forward.

The Gaming Machines Act 2001 placed a cap on the total number of poker machines in the State and created the poker machines entitlement [PME]... ... The value of the entitlements in the marketplace has steadily increased and they now trade for in excess of $400,000 for a transfer block of three.

Finally, on behalf also of the shadow Minister I wish the president of the Australian Hotels Association well in his retirement... ...He has done magnificent work with Government and Opposition....