From the CEO - CLUBSACT ACTIVITY REPORT

CLUBSACT ACTIVITY REPORT

ClubsACT activity over the last 6 months has been primarily focused on managing the impact of COVID-19 on our sector. More recent activity has been dominated by the response to the ACT lockdown on our members and working with Government on a viable roadmap to re-opening. We have been in ongoing liaison with the ACT Government and other industry organisations such as the AHA and the Canberra Business Chamber on this issue.

ACT LOCKDOWN

At the beginning of the current lockdown, ClubsACT made contact with the AHA and the Canberra Business Chamber to ensure that where possible we could work as a united front in terms of the impact on members of the lockdown and to work with the ACT Government on the development of a sustainable re-opening process.

To assist this, we organised regular meetings with Minister Shane Rattenbury to raise issues and put forward positions on the roadmap back to full trading. ClubsACT has also been involved in intense and ongoing consultations with our members on the impacts of the lock down and issues requiring detailed responses from the ACT Government. We have recurrent meetings organised with the Minister going forward.

ClubsACT and the AHA have also commenced regular fortnightly meetings to discuss the impacts of the lockdown across areas of shared interest and to jointly advocate to Government common positions by both organisations were there is a shared interest. There are also regular meetings with the Business Chamber on the lockdown and developments towards reopening and to ensure we have a joint approach on issues of a sustainable re-opening model.

ClubsACT has also developed a working relationship with Minister Tara Cheyne and her office and we supplement our discussions with Minister Rattenbury through direct contact with Minister Tara Cheyne and the Health Minister.

Recent successful lobbying by ClubsACT facilitated the re-opening of Golf and Lawn Bowls clubs and the inclusion of the operation of gaming areas within clubs as part of the re-opening road map.

VACCINE PASSPORTS

ClubsACT has been engaged with the ACT Government over the issue of Vaccine “passports” after consultations with our members. The ACT Government will not be introducing a Vaccine “passport” model due to a number of difficulties created by the ACT Human Rights Act and the logistics behind such a model. ClubsACT notes the jurisdictional approach being taken on this issue and whilst there are some procedural issues raised by this concept, the membership of ClubsACT does not support a “passport” model at this time.

COMMUNITY CLUBS MINISTERIAL COUNCIL

The ACT Government established a Community Clubs Ministerial Council during 2021 with ClubsACT is one of the key members. At the August meeting of the Ministerial Council our President presented the aggregate figure of construction projects members have commenced or are scheduled to commence and the financial value of these activities. The aggregate financial value of projects either commenced or scheduled to commence by our members within the next five years was estimated at in excess of $3 Billion.

ClubsACT has also organised a submission in conjunction with Gaming Technologies Australia (GTA) on $5.00 bet and load limits, for presentation to the Ministerial Council. The Ministerial Council has an extensive agenda going forward and we welcome the opportunity to participate and represent the industry view.

COVID RESPONSE PLAN

ClubsACT drafted a Covid Response Plan in conjunction with our members almost three months ago. This was presented to ACT Government and we are still awaiting comments back from the ACT Department of Health before distribution to all members.

FACIAL RECOGNITION TRIAL

ClubsACT is awaiting formal advice from the ACT Government to enable us to proceed on a proposed facial recognition trial for gaming areas. This trial is designed to assist clubs and members with the application of self-exclusion arrangements. We hope to commence this trial before the end of the year.

MOU ACT PHARMACY GUILD

ClubsACT completed and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the ACT Pharmacy Guild just prior to the current ACT Lockdown. This MOU is a broad agreement to enhance the working relationship between community pharmacies and the community clubs within their area. The first tangible outcome from this agreement is the proposed rolling out of vaccination hubs for FLU and Covid vaccinations. At this stage we anticipate this program to commence in December/January as the community emerges from lockdowns. Some clubs are already working with their local pharmacies to organise vaccination days for staff, patrons and members of their local communities.

INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT

ClubsACT has identified Industry employment issues as a major concern arising out of Covid and industry shutdowns. With the evaporation of the student workforce (Both domestic and international) the industry had employee sourcing issues prior to the current lockdown and with the removal of the Jobkeeper package this problem is seen to be worsening prior to resumption of normal operations. ClubsACT has been in negotiations with the ACT Government and Federal Government over developing innovative approaches to training and development for our industry to attempt to maximise local employment solutions to the current skills crisis. In 2022 we will launch a new school-based apprenticeship program with the ACT Government and we are currently commencing discussions on a new federal program to develop skilled pathways into employment within the ACT Club Industry.

GOING FORWARD

As a relatively small organisation we have sought to broaden our third-party relationships, create a new constructive working relationship with the ACT Government and enhance our relationships and support arrangements for our members.

We currently enjoy an open-door and productive relationship with the ACT Government and have seen the benefits of this through our current consultations on the re-opening road map as it develops. Community Clubs have a high reputational value within the local ACT community. We are intent on building on this to strengthen the voice of our members to Government and increase their relationships with their local Communities.

The next 6 months will be challenging for our sector as we attempt to smooth a transition back to full trading within the confines of the COVID response. We look forward to working with club members and patrons to give Canberrans an enhanced experience and relationship with our sector going into 2022.

Craig Shannon CEO - 13 October 2021