Murwillumbah Services Club

10 Wollumbin Street
MURWILLUMBAH NSW 2484
Phone: +61 2 66721388 Fax: +61 2 66723906
Email: admin@msmc.org.au

Open daily from 10.00am (Sundays 11.00am)

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Who voted for a licence to punt?
Murwillumbah Services Club & Murwillumbah Bowls Club

On Wednesday 23 March, 2011 ClubsAustralia President Peter Newell addressed the National Press Club speaking about the many issues associated with mandatory pre-commitment.

In an engaging and eloquent address, Mr Newell outlined the key concerns of clubs and their members, stressing the impact of the licence to punt on clubs and their communities.  Mr Newell warned of the far reaching social implications, including the loss of jobs and closure of vital community centres.

Mr Newell said: “The proponent of this deal has said himself the revenue impact would be up to 40 per cent.  He’s right. There has been research in Nova Scotia and South Australia that supports this.

But let’s just suppose the downturn is 30 per cent. 

 A KPMG study shows that in NSW alone a 30 per cent revenue downturn for clubs would result in the loss of more than 11,500 jobs, a loss of $820 million from the NSW economy, and force the closure of clubs.

Extrapolated nationally, with pubs and casinos included, the damaging impact would reverberate across the whole economy.

Economic purists may pontificate from on-high that lost jobs will be picked up and replicated elsewhere in the economy. Try telling that to a young mother pulling a beer in Gilgandra, a university student clearing tables in Ballarat, a man on the door in Ipswich....”

Mr Newell also questioned the ability of pre-commitment to deal effectively with problem gamblers:

“Australia’s leading academic on problem gambling, Prof Alex Blaszczynski, advised a Parliamentary Committee chaired by the Member for Denison himself that pre-commitment is unlikely to have a significant impact on the majority of problem gamblers, and may even exacerbate problem gambling,”

The club industry has affirmed its commitment to helping problem gamblers on many occasions. Clubs and pubs have harm minimisation measures in place, including the Club Safe program which goes beyond simple compliance with legislation and regulation. 

Furthermore, clubs contribute to the community in other less tangible ways, for example by promoting social cohesion in small or isolated communities, or by providing safe environments for families to socialise and subsidised meals for the elderly.  

Clubs also mobilise countless community volunteers and donate hundreds of thousands of dollars directly to the community.

 A vote for the licence to punt means less support for junior sporting activities, increased food and drink prices and the closing down of important community centres. 

When you consider these implications, it becomes obvious that the licence to punt extends well beyond the initial $3 billion start-up price-tag. 

Sign the petition and email your MP to tell the Government not to support the expensive and ineffective licence to punt.

  

Welcome to the Multi-Award winning Murwillumbah Services Club!

                                        


                          


We're "the friendly club" with new, spacious & modern facilities, so come in, make yourself at home & bring the whole family.

A wide range of fun daily activities and excellent facilities are available for our members, their guests and visitors alike.

Dining options are available 7 days from 10am with a heated outdoor terrace overlooking the picturesque Tweed River. We have free entertainment every Friday and Saturday from 6.30pm, Raffles, Bingo, Trivia, TAB & Keno and lots more so drop by and see for yourself why we are a Multi-Award winning club, we'd love to see you here!

For additional information on the upcoming events of July and August, click here if you would like to view our latest club magazine.

To view the club's Annual Report please click the link below.

ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2011