Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-10-12 Daily Xml

Contents

SkyCity Adelaide

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:08): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer, representing the Attorney-General as Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs in the other place, a question about SkyCity Adelaide Casino.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: During the last sitting week I asked the Treasurer a number of questions about the Adelaide Casino following the disturbing revelations which we have canvassed in this place that AUSTRAC was investigating the Casino after it identified potential serious noncompliance with the Australian Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act. The Treasurer has kindly referred those questions to the Attorney-General for her response; however, I'm still waiting for that response.

My concerns about the way the casinos, including SkyCity Adelaide Casino, operate in Australia have been further heightened by revelations yesterday about the Star Entertainment Group, which operates a casino in Sydney and two in Queensland, with a third on the way. Claims have been made that the group has been enabling suspected money laundering, organised crime, large-scale fraud and foreign interference with its Australian casinos for years.

The allegations mirror those made against Crown Resorts, which resulted in the Bergin inquiry—again, which has been canvassed in this place—and two subsequent royal commissions. My questions to the Treasurer are:

1. What assurances can the state government give that SkyCity Adelaide isn't enabling suspected money laundering, organised crime, large-scale fraud and foreign interference?

2. What checks and balances does the state government have in place to ensure that the SkyCity Adelaide Casino is operating within its legal framework?

3. Can the Treasurer provide the advice given to the government by the commissioner for business services, the state's regulator, since the AUSTRAC investigation started, noting that the commissioner suspended the review pending the outcome of the AUSTRAC investigation?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:10): I'm happy to refer the honourable member's question to the Attorney and bring back a reply.