Question

23rd August 2011

The Hon. JAN BARHAM: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, representing the Minister for the Arts. Will the Minister confirm the current levels of funding for public libraries for the past two years under the designated categories used by National and State Libraries Australasia—namely, the overall expenditure, the per capita expenditure and the per capita subsidy?

The Hon. Duncan Gay: That question should be put on notice.

The Hon. MICHAEL GALLACHER: It is appropriate for that question to be put on notice. However, I will assist the member with her question by referring it to the appropriate Minister and seeking a response.

ANSWER PENDING

Ms Barham to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Tourism Major Events Hospitality and Racing, and Minister for the Arts—

1. Did the State Library of NSW provide advice to the Minister for the Arts or the Department on the recently passed Library Amendment Bill 2011?
2. if so, what advice was given?

Answer—

1. Yes.
2. The State Library of NSW was consulted in the preparation of the Bill and supported the proposal.

Ms Barham to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Tourism Major Events Hospitality and Racing, and Minister for the Arts—

1. Has the Community Development and Support Expenditure (CDSE) Scheme Local Committee been established in every local government area where the category 1 CDSE liability for all participating clubs exceeds $30,000?
2. How much has been expended on CDSE projects in the 2010⁄11 financial year to date?
3. Does the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority provide annual reports on expenditure made under the CDSE scheme?
4. How can members of the public access information on programs funded under the CDSE scheme?
5. Which programs were funded under category 1 and 2 CDSE in the 2009⁄10 financial year? Please provide a list of all programs.
6. 1. Has the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority ever requested to see the minutes of a CDSE Scheme Local Committee?
   2. If so, under what circumstances have requests been made?

Answer—

1. The CDSE Scheme Guidelines require CDSE local committees to be established in each local government area where the total CDSE Category 1 liability of local qualifying clubs is in excess of $30,000 in the tax year. There is no requirement for the Department of Trade and Investment to keep of a list of the local committees that have been established. ClubsNSW has this information on its website.
2. Clubs that participate in the CDSE Scheme must submit their annual returns to the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority outlining their CDSE Expenditure by 7 September each year, one week after the end of the gaming machine tax year. The gaming machine tax year is from 1 September to 31 August. Therefore, expenditure figures for the 2010⁄11 tax year are not yet available. 
   For the gaming machine tax year ended 31 August 2010, registered clubs in NSW expended $63.5 million on projects and services under the CDSE Scheme, although only $38.2 could be claimed as a rebate under the scheme.
3. Information about expenditure made under the CDSE Scheme is included in the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority’s annual report.
4. and (5) There are legal restrictions imposed under the Gaming Machine Tax Act 2001 on the disclosure of gaming machine revenue and tax details. These restrictions apply to information about CDSE expenditure provided to the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority by registered clubs for the purposes of claiming a gaming machine tax rebate under the scheme. The Gaming Machine Tax Act prevents information relating to an individual club’s expenditure being released to the public, although clubs can choose to provide this information themselves. 
   (6) No.