Welcome Promise for Clubs Parramatta

The Parramatta Chamber of Commerce welcomes the memorandum of understanding between the Coalition and Clubs NSW that includes $300 million in tax breaks on poker machine profits and an easing of the existing cap on electronic roulette and blackjack.

The vital club industry in NSW has been suffering serious financial strain and a reduction in the number of licenced clubs since the draconian tax increases were brought in. Stand alone bowling clubs have been notable casualties but all clubs have suffered profit downturns under the two pronged depredations of increased profit taxes and the global financial crisis. Clubs are major employers and any downturn in their activities has a rolling adverse effect across the community.

Parramatta in particular needs a strong club scene to enhance its attraction to tourists and the new technology games are certain to be a popular drawcard. Parramatta has excellent conference and hospitality facilities in its hotels and a vibrant dining-out nightlife; putting money back into the club scene with a greater variety of gaming can only add to the all round attractiveness of Parramatta as a tourist and business hub.

Of course the move has many of the predictable critics up in arms but it should be noted that when the federal government mooted a clubs-like tax slug on mining industry profits prior to the last election the backlash was felt keenly at the polls. Democracies are like that; ultimately the people decide. The current State government needs to think very carefully about their offering to the people next March.