ACT Labor says gambling industry donations have had no undue influence over government policy and an effective ban on free meeting rooms in clubs would harm political participation.
The party, which has been in power in the ACT since 2001, has told a parliamentary inquiry into independent Thomas Emerson's proposed ban on gambling industry donations its record showed financial and in-kind support from the gambling industry did not affect its policy agenda.
"Over successive terms, ACT Labor in government has pursued and delivered gambling harm-reduction reforms that the industry has strongly and publicly opposed," the party said.
ClubsACT, which represents community clubs, told the inquiry it supported transparency rules requiring politicians and parties to disclose in-kind donations, including free meeting room use, but a ban was unnecessary.
"For clubs, making rooms and facilities available to the community is not a political act. It is a core part of the social licence clubs hold and take seriously. Clubs are community-owned institutions, and providing accessible space to sporting bodies, multicultural groups, seniors' associations, charities and civic gatherings is one of the most direct and visible ways clubs give back to the communities they serve," ClubsACT chief executive Craig Shannon said.
"Critically, this access is provided on a non-partisan, request basis. Clubs do not choose who may use their rooms according to political alignment. A space made available for a candidate forum or a public meeting is provided because the request was made and the room was available, not as support for any party, candidate or cause."
ClubsACT also said it did not operate as a partisan campaign funding vehicle and did not make donations to secure policy outcomes or purchase political influence. Attendance at political functions was on a bipartisan or non-partisan basis, the group said.
"Attendance does not mean endorsement. It does not mean campaign support. It does not mean ClubsACT is funding a political campaign," the submission said.
ACT Labor secretary Caitlin Cook's submission pointed to Labor's commitments to cut poker machine numbers, a cashless gaming trial and the government's support for an independent clubs sector inquiry as evidence donations or support had not swayed the party's policies.
"These are among the most significant gambling reforms in the country, and they have been advanced over the clear and sustained opposition of the industry. A party subject to industry influence would not have legislated against the industry's wishes in this manner," Ms Cook said.
"This record is not consistent with any suggestion that the incidental use of community venues has secured influence over government decision and policy making."
ACT Labor wants the committee to recommend Mr Emerson's bill is amended so the use of meeting facilities is not covered by the donation prohibition, preventing the "unintended consequence" candidates, parties and community organisations are blocked from holding meetings at community clubs.
In-kind support, which covers free or reduced-price meeting room hire, already needs to be disclosed as part of political funding transparency laws in the ACT.
"Where the committee considers that transparency is warranted, the use of meeting facilities can appropriately remain subject to the Bill's disclosure provisions," the party's submission said.
"ACT Labor acknowledges that this reasoning reflects the position and conduct of the current government and the current position of the party. It is for that reason that we support, in principle, the disclosure of gift-in-kind room hire."
Mr Emerson introduced a private member's bill to the Legislative Assembly earlier this year to ban gambling donations, with a committee inquiry due to report on October 28.
The bill would ban political donations from people or companies that are licensed to run gambling operations, and from entities that receive half or more of their income from gambling entities.
A survey of 500 people showed 83 per cent of respondents believed donations from the gambling industry influenced the decisions politicians made about gambling reform, Mr Emerson said on Monday.
"The data from this survey is very clear: Canberrans want gambling money out of politics. ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals have an opportunity here to show they're not like their federal counterparts, and are willing to put the best interests of their constituents ahead of the interests of the gambling industry," the Kurrajong independent said in a statement.
"If Labor ignores this call to action by seeking to water down or block this legislation, that'll be evidence the Barr government is just as captured by vested interests as the Albanese government."
The ACT banned property developers from making political donations in 2021 but carved out not-for-profit entities, including clubs and unions, despite their involvement in property projects.
