Tuesday, 2 May 2023

 Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Trade and Investment) (14:51): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to consolidate and amend various gambling taxes, to make consequential amendments to the Casino Control Act 1991, the Casino (Management Agreement) Act 1993, the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 and the Taxation Administration Act 1997 and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:52): I seek a brief explanation of the bill, please.

 Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Trade and Investment) (14:52): The bill increases the tax rate on electronic gaming machines, EGMs, at the casino to match the relevant EGM tax rate for clubs from 1 July 2023. It increases the wagering and betting tax rate from 10 to 15 per cent from 1 July 2024. It establishes a new gaming taxation act as a taxation law under the Taxation Administration Act and refers to the administration of casino tax from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission to the commissioner of state revenue from 1 July 2023. It establishes a new act as a taxation law under the Taxation Administration Act; this was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence. Finally, it consolidates other gambling taxes currently administered by the commissioner into the new act.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.