CLUB REFORMS ROLL OUT ACROSS NSW & DECISION AGAINST FORMER CLUB DIRECTORS

Reforms to streamline the operation and regulation of the registered clubs industry that were passed by the NSW Parliament in March have begun to roll out.

The changes followed two reviews of the club industry conducted by Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW).

The reviews involved a public consultation process which assessed the effectiveness of the club amalgamation and de-amalgamation framework, and a targeted consultation with club peak bodies that considered the accountability requirements of registered clubs.
The reforms include:

• a streamlined and flexible club amalgamation and de-amalgamation framework to make it easier for clubs to merge and de-merge
• a co-regulatory model with oversight of low-risk club accountability responsibilities shared between L&GNSW and ClubsNSW for its member clubs, with L&GNSW retaining the power to step-in where appropriate
• financial penalties of up to $11,000 and disciplinary measures for individuals who breach club governance and management requirements, including lifetime disqualification from being a club secretary or director.

Oversight and enforcement of accountability requirements for clubs that are not a member of ClubsNSW will still sit with L&GNSW.
Under the new accountability requirements, a prescribed Club Accountability Disclosure Register needs to be kept by clubs and a new notice to members is also provided.

DECISION AGAINST FORMER PARRAMATTA LEAGUES CLUB DIRECTORS

The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (the Authority) has issued its final decision on a complaint against four former directors of Parramatta Leagues Club over their role in the Parramatta NRL club’s salary cap breaches in 2015 and 2016.

The four ex-directors – Steven Sharp, Toufic Issa, Geoff Gerard and Peter Serrao – have given written undertakings to the Authority to have no management roles in the NSW registered clubs industry for the next three years.

Parramatta Leagues Club has also been ordered to pay almost $100,000 in legal and investigative costs.

Under new gaming reforms (see above) penalties against club directors and managers who do the wrong thing have been strengthened. New penalties including lifetime bans from the industry and fines up to $11,000 will be available to the Authority when it considers future complaints against club directors and managers.

Source: L&GNSW