[Greens-Media] Rules change smooths path to Packer casino

[John Kaye]

Rules change smooths path to Packer casino
 
Media release: 1 November 2012
 
Removing tendering requirements from the NSW government's unsolicited proposal process is a massive gift to James Packer and Crown's bid for a second casino, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: "The O'Farrell government's unsolicited proposals process has been compromised. It will now allow Mr Packer's Barangaroo casino bid to escape an independent evaluation and a tender process.
 
"Crown's Barangaroo proposal would have failed the 'no viable competition' test and, under the old rules, would have been forced to compete against other casino developers.
 
"Under the new rules, the people of NSW will never know if they are getting value for money.
 
"If Sydney is to have second casino it is clear that there are plenty of other operators and sites that could provide high roller gaming tables, designed to attract more of the Asian market.
 
"Mr Packer does not bring any unique intellectual property to the table that could justify a closed-door uncompetitive process.
 
"While the Greens continue to oppose the creation of a second casino licence, at the very least the O'Farrell government could have ensured that the state gets the maximum return from the licence.
 
"There is now no way of knowing if another operator with a different location might have paid more.
 
"NSW has been denied the right to test the social costs against the supposed economic benefits. 
 
"The unsolicited proposals process is now deeply anti-competitive and creates at least the perception of deals for mates.
 
"Every casino creates corruption risks. One which is approved by a behind-closed-doors uncompetitive process is starting out under a major cloud.
 
"Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner is now hiding behind the Council of Australian Governments processes.
 
"It's hard to explain why the process changed one week after Mr Packer met with Premier O'Farrell. Three weeks later his proposal had passed the first stage.
 
"Mr O'Farrell has a lot of explaining to do when he gets back from India," Dr Kaye said.
 
For more information:  John Kaye 0407 195 455