Fairer gambling revenue distribution

The Queensland Party is today announcing a major policy initiative to overhaul the current processes used in the distribution of pokie revenue.

The proposed model will see the creation of a Community Benefit Board (CBB) in each of Queensland's 89 state electorates. The boards will allow local communities to determine funding allocations from gambling revenues, reduce centralised bureaucracy and ensure each dollar achieves maximum benefit for Queensland’s decentralised communities.

On current figures, each of the 89 CBBs will oversee the distribution of approximately $3.1 million dollars annually.

Purpose:

·         50% of all pokie revenue will be distributed evenly amongst each CBB.

·         The program will be a dollar for dollar - for every two dollars raised, one goes to the state government and the other goes to the states CBBs.

Membership:

·         The CBB will consist of 11 members with the State MP as Chair.

·         Not-for-profit organisations will fill 8 position on the CBB.

·         The Federal MP which takes in the majority population of the State Electorate and an elected local councilor from the council which takes in the majority population of the State Electorate will also sit on the board to ensure close ties between all three levels of government.

·         Within 28 days of a general election, every not-for-profit organisation listed within that state electorate will be eligible to register to vote for representatives to the CBB. The election will be overseen by the ECQ.

·         The local council representative will be nominated and elected from the majority local council and the Federal MP will be automatically appointed.

·         The membership tenure on the CBB will only last for the duration of the Government's term in office.

Procedures:

·         Any member on the board whose organisation is an applicant for consideration must abstain from voting on that particular application only.

·         All applications for Gambling Community Benefit Grants will be directed to the appropriate local CBB for consideration.

·         The CBB will meet quarterly to consider grant applications.

·         Applications will be processed under the current system to ensure all criteria are met, but the decision to approve funding will be made by the local CBB.

·         Treasury Department will release funds once the CBB has granted approval and conduct audits to ensure accountability.