[Greens-Media] O'Farrell's dysfunctional casino process delivers wrong answer

[John Kaye]

O'Farrell's dysfunctional casino process delivers wrong answer

The NSW government's unsurprising approval of James Packer's bid for a VIP casino at Barangaroo to proceed to final stage comes out of a behind-closed-doors process that lacked any accountability or contestability, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: "The process has been a sham and the outcome a disgrace.

"The decision was made without tender, without public input and without any concern for the windfall opportunities it will bestow on organised crime and money launderers.

"The Coalition cabinet has clearly been bedazzled by the promise of jobs and revenue, despite international studies that challenge the supposed employment and economic benefits of VIP-only high roller rooms.

"The O'Farrell government has never strayed off James Packer's song sheet so it is hardly surprising that Crown has been given the golden gift.

"The community was kept in the dark while the assessment process was conducted by a fundraiser for the Liberal party. It is hard to place any credibility in Mr Murray's findings or the O'Farrell government's enthusiastic acceptance of them.

"The O'Farrell government is turning the Harbour City into Sin City. The iconic harbour foreshore is set to become a symbol for an industry known for corruption and exploitation.

"The NSW government is on the verge of giving a gambling tycoon free range to set up a new high roller room in Sydney, ignoring all of the warnings about money laundering and the risks of a downturn in the Asian market.

"If Chinese economic policy continues in its current direction of slowing growth and the government gets tough on money launderers, the viability of Mr Packer's VIP casino will start to collapse.   Inevitably he would then be back at the government's door asking to for permission to open up his development to average Australian gamblers, creating yet more opportunities for susceptible individuals to develop problematic behaviours.

"The next test will be if Mr Packer can maintain his grip on the Labor Party and Fred Nile's Christian Democrats. Repealing the one-casino-only provision will require a vote in the Upper House where it is possible only the Greens will oppose the further spread of table gaming in NSW.

"Echo's proposal to expand the Star casino would have also increased the social costs of gambling but it was never in the running. Premier Barry O'Farrell had signed up to the Packer bandwagon from day one and did not once waiver from his support for the gambling tycoon's $1.5 billion proposal.

"We will be working with the community to persuade the Christian Democrats and Labor to vote with us to stop the Casino Control Act being amended to allow Mr Packer's VIP gaming rooms to go ahead," Dr Kaye said.

For more information:   John Kaye 0407 195 455

John Kaye
Greens NSW MP

P: (02) 9230 2668 | F: facebook.com/john.kaye.mlc<http://www.facebook.com/john.kaye.mlc> | T: @johnkgreens<twitter.com/johnkgreens> | W: www.johnkaye.org.au<http://www.johnkaye.org.au>
Mail: Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

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