[Greens-Media] Packer should be held to casino revenue offer

[John Kaye]

Packer should be held to casino revenue offer

Media release: 23 July 2013

The O'Farrell government should have held Crown to its bid document claim
that its Barangaroo casino would deliver $1.81 billion in state revenue
over the next 15 years, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

('Packer casino to yield less tax', Sydney Morning Herald,  23 July, page
2, http://j.mp/19e2tNU)

Dr Kaye said: "Premier barry O'Farrell has sold the state short.

"The $1 billion minimum in the deal cut with Crown leaves future NSW
budgets with a $810 million risk.

"A government that is prepared to sack 15,000 public servants to balance
its budget should have forced James Packer to back up his revenue claims
with a guarantee.

"The Premier's enthusiasm for a second casino has seen him sell the state
short.

"Mr Packer was allowed to use the $1.81 billion figure to drive his casino
proposal through the assessment process but now he has his second stage
approval he is not being held to it.

"The Premier has delivered a $810 million gift to the billionaire gambling
tycoon.

"The unsolicited proposals process failed to assess the cost impacts of the
second high roller casino on crime, problem gambling and reputation damage.

"The risk of losing $810 million would make the assessment even more
unreliable.

"The Murray committee that assessed the proposal dismissed the threats to
state revenue relying on 'consistent tax tax rates and tax guarantees to
minimise  Government risk'.

"The state does does not need a second casino. There are other uses for the
premium Harbour-side site that would add more value to Sydney and NSW," Dr
Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

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John Kaye
Greens NSW MP
phone: 0407 195 455
web: www.john.nsw.greens.org.au
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