House debates

Wednesday, 30 November 2022

Bills

Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 4) Bill 2022; Consideration in Detail

6:21 pm

Photo of Andrew WilkieAndrew Wilkie (Clark, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

No, it's a mistake easily made. I was the member for Denison for many years, until it was decided to rename it after Andrew Inglis Clark—of course, the architect of the Hare-Clark electoral system and a co-author of the Australian Constitution, so a very, very fine Tasmanian judge and politician.

I thank the minister for that contribution, and I'm heartened by what the minister has had to say. I would add, though, that I don't believe the current reference to loot boxes in the bill and in the EM covers all categories or all types of loot boxes. So I would ask that the government—as they've committed to do—look further at that. I think that, even if you can't cash out, just the fact that you are winning a virtual gun or a virtual faster car or virtual superpowers in a game is still a reward as much as cash, so you still pay the money and it's a game of chance, where you don't know what you're going to win—'Oh, wow! I've won this gun that lets me go to the next level of the game, because I'm more dangerous and deadly.' It is still gambling by any definition.

I am heartened by the minister's contribution. I won't be seeking a division this evening, for the convenience of members and on the commitment from the minister that the government will look further at this. So, through you: thank you, Minister.

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