The Daily Telegraph has reported on NSW Labor's decision to vote against a State Government motion condemning mandatory pre-commitment in the NSW Parliament. This a decision that defies common sense, and is a sellout to Federal Labor at the expense of registered clubs and the 43,000 people our industry employs. The effect on our small community will be extremely high. Unfortunately, at least 3 clubs in our area are really struggling to keep their doors open without any of the pre commitment issues.

 Our club has a membership of 3200. We support financially about 30 community groups and individuals in sporting, social, and charitable ways. We also provide free-of-charge rooms and services to many non-profit organisations. Last financial year we helped to support these groups with $19500 (this includes no in kind help). This community commitment will need to be reduced dramatically to help meet the expense that our Club will be required to meet to install the equipment and technology to service the pre-committment requirement forced on us by our Government. We have 43 gaming machines. Our installation is quite up to date compared to many clubs, however we have no system, so would be looking at the full cost of implementing a full system (quoted in excess of $400,000) and possible replacement of 25% of current installation.

Does the Federal Government and the NSW Labor party, refering to their support of Mandatory Pre-committment, know or realise the impact their decisions will have on the health and welfare of the employees in the club industry when Managers have to decrease their hours severely, or in extreme cases terminate their employment? The NSW Opposition should be supporting the jobs of the 43,000 people who work in NSW clubs and the $1.5 billion clubs pay in gaming tax annually.

In one word pre-commitment means "disaster" to our industry and the support it provides for our community.

Judy Ward - CEO

Macksville Ex-Services Club