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Legislative Assembly 5517 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Wednesday 27 February 2008 __________ The Speaker (The Hon. George Richard Torbay) took the chair at 10.00 a.m. The Speaker read the Prayer and acknowledgement of country. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE Notices of Motions General Business Notices of Motions (General Notices) given. PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Question—That private members' statements be noted—proposed. TUMBAFEST Mr GREG APLIN (Albury) [10.05 a.m.]: On the last weekend in February each year the picturesque town of Tumbarumba comes alive with Tumbafest, a wonderful festival of music, dancing, fine wines, foods, markets and entertainment for all ages and tastes attracting crowds of more than 4,000 over the two days. The eleventh annual Tumbafest was held last weekend and I was able to see for myself why it attracts so many visitors from Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The town, tucked away in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains and surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks, natural bushland, expansive vineyards and agricultural pastures, is a unique setting for this flagship event. All activities take place at the Creekscape within walking distance of the town's centre. The Tumbarumba creek forms a natural boundary between the food vendors and wine sellers court on the one side and the market and entertainment area on the other. Constant traffic flows across the shady footbridge, and as I made the first of many crossings I heard from the mayor, Councillor Dave Robertson, and deputy mayor, Councillor Col Goldspink, that since the recent rains a baby platypus had been sighted in the creek—causing great delight as platypus sightings have been rare in recent years. For Tumbarumba vignerons, this annual festival provides a showcase for their cool climate wines, and members of local wineries and experts converge to provide wine tasting sessions for visitors and locals alike. The festival is supported by well-known winemakers such as Hungerford Hill, McWilliams, Bidgeebong and Kosciusko Wines as well as local Tumbarumba vineyards. Many Tumbarumba vignerons took a break from harvesting and crushing their products to promote their wines to the Tumbafest crowds. Visitors to the wine courtyard were able to sample wines from a range of local growers such as Johannsens, Glenburnie Vineyard, Lankey's Creek and a host of non-commercial producers affiliated with the Tumbarumba Vignerons Association. A drawcard for novices and connoisseurs alike, the Vignerons Association offered wine and food matching sessions in an experience called "A Taste of Tumbarumba" where local growers like Juliet Cullen of Excelsior Peak, Robyn Parkes of Glenbumie and Anne Thomas of Kosciusko Wines introduced different entree and main courses matched with appropriate wines. On Sunday the People's Choice tasting sessions were held, when participants had the opportunity to vote for their favourite Tumbarumba regional wine. A customised semitrailer became the Snowy Hydro main stage for musical groups to perform a great mix of country, rock, old favourite classics, Motown, rhythm and blues, a sprinkle of Irish, Bluegrass and a touch of comedy. The impressive line-up of entertainment included performances by country singer Felicity Urquhart, the duo Carter and Carter, and other celebrated Motown and swing artists. A highlight for me was hearing Bridget a'Beckett, a locally born singer songwriter who has made a name for herself in Melbourne. Her lively and confident performance provided a very enjoyable backdrop to the leisurely lunchtime atmosphere of the festival on Saturday. It was a delight to hear the local choir, Tumba Voices, perform prior to the official opening and to then join the mayor, Councillor Dave Robertson, Sandy Ogg from Hyne and Mark Clayton from Snowy Hydro to formally open Tumbafest 2008. Following the 5518 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 27 February 2008 short ceremony, Tumba Pipes and Drums entertained the crowd and everyone settled in for a great afternoon of music. The family oriented festival also provided a wide range of other activities to delight and entertain all age groups. The Southern Cross Performing Arts Group, comprising members of the local Tumbarumba Academy of Performing Arts, and the versatile Handstand Factory performed stilt walking, juggling feats and impressive acrobatic performances throughout the weekend. A full entertainment program provided children with rides, activities, games and concerts of the highest standard, including a performance by the ABC's Active Kidz. The Tumbafest market has grown in reputation as a boutique market with a growing emphasis on unique and quality wares. Some visitors come to the festival purely for the shopping experience. There were around 100 stalls this year featuring a very large range of handicrafts, including children's furniture, unique items for the garden or for the family pet, as well as a large array of home-baked goods, preserves, olive and scented oils and fresh farm produce. Tumbafest Executive Officer, Shelley Jones, says that the festival is unique as it is more than a music festival, although the calibre of artists makes it an event worthy of note by music lovers. The combination of world-class music with the lovely setting and the wide range of fine local wines and food on offer make it a very special event. Shelley and the volunteer festival committee worked behind the scenes for almost a year to organise this successful annual event. Then over the festival weekend other volunteers dedicate their time and efforts to ensure that the Tumbafest experience is memorable for all the visitors. Not many festivals can match the setting of Tumbafest. As Shelley Jones said, "You're in the shade of a tree by the creek having a glass of wine and listening to some great music, but a short walk away is a market with more than 100 stalls." Congratulations to Tumbarumba shire and the Tumbafest committee on a magnificent 2008 festival. TRIVIA AND SMS PRIZE SCAMS Mr TONY STEWART (Bankstown) [10.10 a.m.]: I raise with the House an issue of great importance. Currently a number of trivia and SMS scams are being conducted that are ripping off innocent members of the public for millions of dollars. This type of scamming is a multimillion-dollar business and is conducted through various mediums, including television, advertising, mobile phone messaging, newspaper advertisements and computer Internet advertisements. Principally, these scams work on the basis that it is somehow possible to win a prize, usually cash, by returning a phone text message or replying to a designated number or email. The scammers make an extraordinary amount of money by charging extremely high rates for messages that are sent with respect to the alleged competition and further messages sent back are charged at a much higher rate again. These charges are not apparent to innocent people unwittingly participating in the scam. The charges are flashed onto the television screen for a second or so, which makes it almost impossible to read because they are in the finest print and the details are very hard to pick up. Alternatively, users need to access an Internet site to view the terms and conditions of the alleged competition, which only a Queen's Counsel would be able to comprehend. Charges for the mobile phone and television advertised text messages scam are usually $5 for each message sent by the innocent participator, and simply to receive a message can cost $10 to $15. These costs are not explained properly to participants. Recently 2UE radio talkback host, Mr Glenn Wheeler, highlighted on his weekend afternoon program a number of significant concerns about this important issue. In particular, Mr Wheeler informed listeners of the current television advertisement that urges listeners to participate in an opportunity to win up to $4,000 cash "on the spot". This so-called competition involves viewers sending an SMS to a particular number advising which of three coconut shells covers a ball, and these are moved around the table by a particularly good looking young female, who is obviously there to attract attention. On the face of it the game seems to be one of chance and one would think it would be covered by the Lotteries and Art Unions Act 1901, that there would be probity, and that under the regulations the organisers of the competition would honour the promise of a prize. However, this is not the case because it is actually a game of skill and people can make a choice when they see the coconut shells moved. Therefore, it does not comply with the requirements of the Act. During the advertisement certain text appears at the bottom of the screen that is very small and difficult to read, and Glenn Wheeler highlighted this. In fact, it is yellow print against a yellow background. Following a number of inquiries that I initiated through the Department of Gaming and Racing—and I thank the Minister, Graham West, for his prompt action—the promoter of the competition was identified and 27 February 2008 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 5519 contacted. He advised that the competition solely involved skill and therefore there was no requirement for a permit. One would need the skill of a retarded slug to enter this competition. It is not a competition of skill; it plays on the vulnerability of people, who think they can easily win a prize when it is impossible. Indeed, I doubt that there is even a prize because without a permit there is no way of knowing. The process is ongoing. People receive return texts, which cost more and more money. People become heavily involved in the scam because they think they can win the competition. Another advertisement is being shown on television at the moment where people choose who won the last Federal election.
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