Ease the Regulatory Burden on Clubs, Bush Summit Hears

That was the message from ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant while addressing The Daily Telegraph’s Bush Summit Dinner held at Wagga RSL on Tuesday night.

ClubsNSW, under the Your Local Club brand, is a Major Partner of News Corp Australia’s Bush Summit, which brings together politicians and industry leaders to discuss some of the big issues facing regional and remote communities. 

The Bush Summit is being held today at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, with guests including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders and New England MP Barnaby Joyce.

Ahead of today’s event, Rebecca told the Bush Summit Dinner — with attendees including The Daily Telegraph Editor Ben English, NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman and NSW ministers Jenny Aitchison and Rose Jackson — that there is an opportunity for governments to remove red tape.

“Some clubs need to comply with regulatory obligations in more than 50 different NSW and Commonwealth laws,” she told attendees.

“Clubs are regulated in a whole range of business activities, from the way that their staff pour a schooner of beer, to how they dispose of food, to how loudly they can play music.

“There are even rules for pet dogs, who are allowed to accompany their owner in an outdoor dining area in a club, but cannot sit on their owner’s lap.”

Attendees heard how clubs often spend more time dealing with regulatory hurdles rather than focusing on growing their businesses.

“Clubs in the bush, particularly small clubs, regularly report that they spend more time jumping through regulatory hoops than running their actual business, which not only hurts them but the communities they are there to serve,” said Rebecca.

“In the past year, we’ve seen nearly 10 clubs close permanently and more than a dozen have had to put up their hand seeking a large club to amalgamate with to provide financial support, in order to keep the doors open — and often by the time they seek assistance, it’s simply too late.

“Clubs in the bush fund vital resources for those in need — without clubs, communities suffer.”

Ben English told those gathered that the Bush Summit aims to recognise the enormous contribution that regional communities play across Australia.

“We’re here to salute the strength and spirit of the bush and recognise the resilience, innovation and determination that defines and drives rural and regional Australia — and so thank you to the Wagga RSL for hosting us this evening and to all of you for being here,” he said.

“Your presence is a testament to the importance of this Summit and the shared commitment we all have to building a brighter future for the bush.”

The Bush Summit continues at Charles Sturt University today, with Victoria playing host in Ballarat later this week.

Rebecca penned an opinion piece in The Daily Telegraph earlier this week as part of the Bush Summit, which you can read here.