SkyCity Adelaide

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:47): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs in another place, a question about the Adelaide Casino.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: Since I last asked a question on this topic last week, the state's gambling regulator, Mr Dini Soulio, has announced he is commissioning an independent review of Casino operations in South Australia. This is after Mr Soulio suspended his department's own review into the Casino last year and after AUSTRAC advised it was investigating 'the casino's management of customers identified as high risk and politically exposed persons'.

PEPs, as they are dubbed, are defined as individuals who hold a prominent public position or role in a government body or international organisation either in Australia or overseas. Immediate family members and/or close associates of these individuals are also considered PEPs. Examples given include heads of state, government ministers or equivalent politicians, senior government executives, high-ranking judges, high-ranking military officers, central bank governors or board members, or executives of an international organisation—that is not a complete list.

Due to Mr Soulio's concerns over broader systemic issues within the Casino industry, he has decided to commission the independent review, to be undertaken by retired Supreme Court Judge the Hon. Brian Martin AO QC. My questions to the minister are:

1. What, if any, assurances have the government sought from AUSTRAC and/or Mr Soulio about the high risk and politically exposed persons subject of the AUSTRAC investigation?

2. Has the government sought assurances from AUSTRAC and/or Mr Soulio that the PEP does not pose a threat to national or state security?

3. Has the government sought assurances from AUSTRAC and/or Mr Soulio that the PEP is not a member of parliament?

4. Does the government support a call from SA-Best, and backed by the Greens and One Nation, for a royal commission into the Casino, noting the significant failings of casinos interstate?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:49): I thank the honourable member for her question and her ongoing and significant interest in these matters. I will refer them to the minister in another place and bring back a reply.