Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016

Supported the bill, emphasising the importance of protecting sponsorship rights at major Gold Coast stadiums from ambush marketing, particularly ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

“The last thing we need to see during the Commonwealth Games is some form of ambush marketing around the venues and events that will occur as a result of that major event on the Gold Coast.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Supported the bill's multiple purposes including protecting stadium sponsors from ambush marketing, enabling leasing of non-tidal watercourses, adjusting gaming machine tax to help community clubs, and facilitating the Logan Motorway Enhancement Project.

“As I have said, the Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill has a variety of purposes for the betterment of Queensland, and I endorse it for the benefit of the House.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard

As Treasurer and Minister for Sport, introduced the second reading, explaining the amendments to the Gaming Machine Act, Keno Act, Land Act, Major Sports Facilities Act and Transport Infrastructure Act and accepting the committee's recommended amendment.

“The bill clarifies the departmental chief executive's power to request criminal history checks for people proposed for appointment to the Stadiums Queensland board... I commend the bill to the House.”— 2016-10-13View Hansard

As Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, supported the bill's amendments to the Land Act 1994 which enable leasing of land within a functioning non-tidal watercourse or lake for projects such as the Brisbane Broncos training field at Ithaca Creek.

“The amendments will deliver important benefits for Queensland communities by facilitating these important developments, such as the Broncos training field.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Supported the bill's amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Act, Gaming Machine Act, Keno Act, Transport Infrastructure Act and Land Act, while using the debate to criticise the government over a separate unrelated issue in Gympie.

“This bill is about the government amending rules to adjust tax methodology, to allow bigger Keno jackpots, to ensure the rights of sponsors and to provide for the issue of a lease. All of these have been justified with submissions focused on how the community benefits... I support the bill.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard

As shadow minister for sport in his legislative debut, confirmed the LNP would not oppose the bill and foreshadowed an amendment to change the name 'Brisbane Stadium' to 'Lang Park' in the Act.

“From the outset, I can let the Treasurer and members of the House know that we will not be opposing the bill... I foreshadow that I will be moving amendments in consideration in detail to alter the name of Suncorp Stadium in the act to Lang Park rather than Brisbane Stadium.”— 2016-10-13View Hansard

Expressed concern about the Land Act watercourse amendments, questioning why such complex property boundary provisions were included in a sports facilities bill and fearing erosion of riparian land holders' property rights.

“I am fearful for the property rights of the riparian land holders that the right that they hold in their property is going to be eroded by a tenure that is granted under these provisions.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Addressed the gambling aspects of the bill, raising serious concerns about sports betting advertising and the need to protect vulnerable gamblers, while acknowledging the community benefits of clubs.

“However, with the upsurge in gaming in our areas we should never be frightened to ask how we ensure those who are most vulnerable are not made more vulnerable.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard

As committee chair, supported the bill, detailing its five objectives and endorsing the committee's recommendation for an amendment to add privacy safeguards for criminal history information of Stadiums Queensland board members.

“The other recommendation of the committee was that the bill be passed... I commend the bill to the House.”— 2016-10-13View Hansard

Supported club gaming machine tax amendments benefiting Toowoomba clubs but strongly opposed renaming Suncorp Stadium to Brisbane Stadium, arguing the historic name Lang Park should be preserved.

“I passionately believe that the history of Queensland Rugby League must be respected and this must be called Lang Park. I have a real problem with it being called Brisbane Stadium.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Strongly supported the Gaming Machine Act amendments, highlighting the Caboolture Sports Club's role in saving struggling clubs and investing in community facilities.

“The bill before the House is a very good bill. It will make a big difference to community clubs. It will support their financial viability. It will create incentives for community clubs to reinvest in the community... I commend the bill to the House.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard

Supported the Gaming Machine Act amendment providing tax relief for community clubs with multiple premises, noting the small revenue impact relative to benefits of saving struggling clubs and supporting greenfield developments.

“After careful consideration of these particular changes, the LNP opposition has formed the view that this particular amendment is a positive one that enables our community clubs to thrive and prosper into the future.”— 2016-10-13View Hansard

Supported the bill, welcoming the benefits of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund and the requirement for appropriate criteria for Stadiums Queensland board members, while asking about ongoing maintenance costs for the new Townsville stadium.

“It is good that we will get the right sorts of people on those boards. I hope that the board appointments are not politically motivated but that the appointees have a very good understanding of what sport is about in Queensland.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Supported the tax methodology changes to help asset-rich but income-poor small clubs, while noting concerns about gambling harm in low socio-economic areas.

“I think we should go further and allow some of these clubs to distribute some of the money that the government taxes these clubs, because it does help. Communities know the areas that need help.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard

Supported the bill, particularly the Land Act amendments for community infrastructure, the Logan Motorway project funding, and the Gaming Machine Act changes that will even the field for clubs and assist struggling clubs in his community.

“This bill will have a beneficial impact in Queensland and in Murrumba, and I commend it to the House.”— 2016-10-13View Hansard

Supported the bill but backed the foreshadowed amendment to preserve the historic Lang Park name, citing its significance to Queenslanders from across the state.

“Sometimes we have to make sure that we preserve the history which is important to us. The history of Lang Park is something that I think is dear to everybody in this House.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Supported the intent of the Land Act amendments allowing leases over non-tidal watercourses, but raised technical concerns about unintended consequences from ambulatory boundaries and foreshadowed support for renaming Suncorp Stadium 'Lang Park' in legislation.

“I support the intent of the proposed amendments to the Land Act but I feel that there are some potential unintended consequences and some unforeseen circumstances that may arise as a result of the provisions of the Water Act and the Land Act operating independently.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard

Supported the bill focusing on Transport Infrastructure Act and Gaming Machine Act changes, while acknowledging personal experience with the devastating impact of gambling on families but recognising community club benefits.

“As long as the effects of dealing with the problem gambling aspects that I mentioned continue to be addressed partly by the clubs themselves and partly by the government, then I can see a benefit in supporting this amendment this evening.”— 2016-10-13View Hansard

As Treasurer and Minister for Sport, closed the debate supporting the bill's omnibus amendments across gaming, keno, land, sports facilities and transport legislation, including a compromise amendment to rename the venue to 'Brisbane Stadium (Lang Park)'.

“I commend the bill to the House.”— 2016-11-02View Hansard

Supported all elements of the bill including gaming machine tax changes, Keno pooling, Land Act amendments and stadium advertising protections.

“This bill makes important and necessary changes to sporting facilities, gaming facilities, infrastructure and waterways. I support these amendments to ensure their continued effective operation and administration. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard

Supported the bill, particularly the Gaming Machine Act amendments to help struggling clubs, recounting the recent closure of Norths and Proserpine Ex-Services Club in his electorate, and strongly backing the foreshadowed 'Lang Park' naming amendment.

“I support his amendment and I support the bill.”— 2016-10-13View Hansard

Supported the Gaming Machine Act and Keno Act amendments, highlighting LNP's previous work supporting community clubs and expressing concerns about a potential Tabcorp-Tatts merger affecting Queensland jobs.

“That is why the LNP will be supporting that particular amendment today.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard

As the local member whose electorate hosts Suncorp Stadium, supported the bill's amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Act for short-notice event scheduling and Land Act provisions enabling the new Broncos training facility at Red Hill.

“This bill facilitates the development of this new headquarters in the heart of Red Hill... I commend the bill to the House.”— 2016-10-13View Hansard

Supported all major elements including Gaming Machine Act changes to help smaller clubs, Keno pooling for larger jackpots, stadium advertising protection, and the Logan Motorway tolling changes.

“We support the changes allowing for protection of advertising in those major football areas... I support the bill.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard

Supported the bill's amendments to the Major Sports Facilities Act, which ensure sponsors can invest with confidence in Queensland, pointedly questioning whether attacking naming rights sponsors would provide the same confidence.

“The act streamlines this process and ensures that sponsors can invest with confidence in Queensland.”— 2016-10-13View Hansard

As Attorney-General, strongly supported the Gaming Machine Act amendments to support struggling community clubs and the Keno Act changes enabling jackpot pooling with other jurisdictions.

“I believe the amendment proposed by the bill is necessary to sustain and support club operations in Queensland. I encourage all members to support the amendment and the bill, and to support the clubs in our communities right across this great state.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard

As committee deputy chair, supported the bill's five objectives, detailed consultation processes, and highlighted the member for Beaudesert's foreshadowed amendment to rename Suncorp Stadium 'Lang Park'.

“Notwithstanding the amendment put forward by the member for Beaudesert and the questions raised by the member for Hinchinbrook, I commend the bill to the House.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard

Drew on personal experience running a financially distressed junior rugby league club to strongly support the gaming machine tax amendment and ambush marketing protection for stadium sponsors.

“This is an important amendment. Hopefully, by clubs being able to work together, by larger clubs being able to step in and bail out some of the smaller clubs, I think the changes proposed in this legislation will be a great incentive.”— 2016-11-01View Hansard