Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [4.26 p.m.]: I support the comments of the shadow Minister for Gaming and Racing and I endorse everything he has said about the negotiations he has undertaken in relation to the NSW Lotteries (Authorised Transaction) Bill 2009. I make two quick points that should not be lost on this House. We have always argued that this was a good policy. There are often claims from the other side about policy not emanating from this side of the House. This is a policy that we have run with for a considerable period and it was in place before the lead-up to the last election. We continued to advocate it and we are pleased that the Government has undertaken the process. We understand that NSW Lotteries is a competitive business and that there is a huge amount of investment and energy required. It makes sense to transfer this business to experts and to use the income that we receive for other purposes—perhaps the infrastructure that we have heard the Treasurer talk about.

We want transparency in relation to where this money goes. It should not form part of any slush fund. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get a substantial amount of money—we may get $600 million-plus—and those funds should be utilised carefully.

The initial bill excluded small businesses. It is one of our key policy positions that we want New South Wales to be the first place in which to do business, and small business plays a critical role in that context. All newsagents across this State are integral to local economies and we are very proud to stand up for them.

We acknowledge, as the shadow Minister for Gaming and Racing acknowledged, that the Treasurer listened to our concerns and our negotiations on behalf of small businesses, the newsagents. As it now stands, the bill is a sensible proposition and one we are very happy to support.

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