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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-03-19 Daily Xml
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SkyCity Adelaide

In reply to the Hon. F. PANGALLO ().7 February 2024).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs has advised:

As the member is aware, on 1 February 2024, SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZ), the parent company of SkyCity Adelaide, announced that SkyCity Adelaide and AUSTRAC have jointly informed the Federal Court that the parties have come to an agreement in relation to the contraventions that SkyCity Adelaide will admit in the proceedings and the amount of a civil penalty they will jointly propose to the court, subject to finalisation of a Statement of Agreed Facts and Admissions.

The market announcement disclosed that the resolution of the matter will involve SkyCity Adelaide admitting serious breaches of anti-money laundering laws and the imposition by the court of a material civil penalty.

I am advised that the court has set down a timetable to allow AUSTRAC and SkyCity to seek to finalise this process. If agreement is reached, it is however a matter for the Federal Court to determine the appropriate penalty in the proceedings.

I am further advised that the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner will consider when to resume the investigation by the Hon. Brian Marin KC into the suitability of SkyCity Adelaide Pty Ltd to hold the South Australian Casino Licence and SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZ) to be a close associate, once the AUSTRAC proceedings have been resolved and the Statement of Agreed Facts and Admissions are available.

Importantly, I note that the material provided to the commissioner by Mr Martin to date reflects his preliminary views, not a definitive finding. Furthermore, it is my understanding that in accordance with statutory confidentiality provisions, the commissioner is prevented from disclosing information obtained in the course of carrying out his official functions other than in prescribed circumstances.

In the meantime, the commissioner has appointed internationally respected risk and financial consultancy firm Kroll Australia (Kroll) to review a program of work developed by SkyCity Adelaide to enable it to demonstrate that it is meeting its AML/CTF capability and gambling related harm minimisation regulatory obligations.

Once the commissioner has approved this program of work, Kroll will monitor its implementation. Kroll is also required to report to the commissioner on SkyCity Adelaide's compliance with its ongoing regulatory obligations with respect to AML/CTF and addressing gambling related harm.

This important work is being carried out alongside CBS' regular inspectorial functions at the Adelaide Casino.

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