Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-10-26 Daily Xml

Contents

SkyCity Adelaide

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:15): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer, representing the Attorney 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, we asked the state government questions about our concerns about the operations of Adelaide Casino following revelations it has been investigated by AUSTRAC, the federal government's anti-money laundering watchdog, and over concerns of serious noncompliance issues with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act.

These concerns have been further heightened by the release today of the damning final report by the royal commission into Crown Casino's operation in Victoria and Western Australia. The royal commissioner described Crown's behaviour as, and I quote, 'disgraceful, variously illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative', finding evidence of links to criminal gangs and repeated breaches of money laundering laws and the Casino's contract with the state, all conduct the commissioner said made Crown unsuitable to hold its licence.

He stopped short of immediately cancelling that licence on the grounds it would cause considerable harm to the Victorian economy, including loss of thousands of jobs. I note that the Treasurer has provided a response today outlining that he is prevented from disclosing any details of the meetings that have been held to date with AUSTRAC, but my questions to the Treasurer are:

1. Is the government concerned about the operations of SkyCity Adelaide Casino, given today's damning royal commission report in Victoria and the ongoing AUSTRAC investigation?

2. What confidence can the government give that similar criminal activity is not occurring at SkyCity Adelaide Casino if indeed he and his government are prevented from disclosing any details to this parliament?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:17): I am happy to refer the honourable member's question to the Attorney-General and bring back a reply.