ANDREW Wall will move to protect newsagents when he tables legislation in the Legislative Assembly next month to ensure only small businesses will be able to sell and promote lottery products in the ACT.

“I have been working with newsagents and stakeholders on a solution to this potential business risk since alarm bells sounded following the expiration of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) struck between the NSW government and Tatts that banned the sale of lottery products in large retail operations for the next five years,” Mr Wall said today.

“It was apparent that there were no protections or restrictions on who could sell lottery products in the ACT.

“Lottery products make up a huge percentage of business for ACT newsagents. The primary intention of this legislation is to maintain the status quo and ensure newsagents and dedicated kiosks remain the first point of sale for lottery products.

“This Bill is modelled on similar legislation enacted in Queensland and will ensure that lottery sales by ACT newsagencies will not be overtaken by large supermarket chains.

“While members of the ACT Labor government are left scratching their heads about what to do, I have been working with newsagents on the best solution for this potential problem.

“We need to safeguard the future of our local small businesses. The legislation I will bring to the Assembly on September 16th ensures that ACT newsagents remain a viable part of our local shopping centres. I urge the government to support this Bill,” Mr Wall concluded.