Omit all and substitute:
Labor recognises the positive role community clubs play in Canberra across a wide range of sporting, cultural and social endeavours; and as a major hospitality employer.
Labor's announced policy of reducing the total number of Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) authorisations across the club sector over a 20-year period, along with the introduction of other harm reduction and club support measures, is designed to reduce gambling harm, while ensuring the club sector can diversify revenue streams over a clear and realistic timeframe.
Labor will appropriately facilitate revenue diversification opportunities in parallel with this legislated EGM reduction. Clubs groups equally have a responsibility, on behalf of their members, to actively make use of this support to reduce their reliance on gaming revenue.
Labor, in Government, is committed to working with the industry and relevant stakeholders to develop a roadmap for the long term sustainability of the community club sector through establishing an independent inquiry.
Labor will establish this independent inquiry, conducted by an expert in the field, to assist in advising Government of any further steps necessary to develop and implement a strong club industry development transition plan.
Ideally, experts involved will include a person with experience with the not-for-profit community club model.
This inquiry will be undertaken and report to Government in 2025, following extensive engagement with the club sector.
The inquiry would work with industry and relevant stakeholders to see the development of a comprehensive transition plan, that will include recommendations to Government on how best to support revenue transition of ACT clubs, with a particular focus on planning and development policies, and look to the long term sustainability of the community club sector.
The inquiry will also look at the level of support provided by clubs to local sporting and cultural groups and events, the benefits of this ongoing support, and the impact of the transition.
The inquiry report and Government response will be publicly released.