The community support fund : a significant community asset
Overview
Against a background of marked growth in the level of gaming activity in the State, the Community Support Fund has quickly assumed both financial and community significance. Because of the nature of its revenue source, namely, a fixed share of proceeds from gaming operations in hotels only, which is to be used specifically for community purposes, the Fund is very much synonymous with community interests. This Report assesses the extent to which decisive action has been taken by the Government to address issues raised in a 1994 audit by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Fund in terms of co-ordination and control of the Fund's operations, and reporting to the Parliament and community on the Fund's effectiveness in generating real benefits for the community. The Report also examines several other issues in relation to the Fund including the adequacy of past community involvement in decisions on funding allocations, the status of research into the social impact of gambling and the potential for widening the source of funding to achieve a more equitable arrangement for financing matters dealing with the social consequences of gambling. The Fund is now clearly a significant community asset.