[Greens-Media] Sydney's casino assessment behind closed doors

[John Kaye]

Sydney's casino assessment behind closed doors

Media release: 17 June 2013

Decisions about increasing casino gambling in NSW has become mired in
claims and counter claims from the two gambling corporations because the
O'Farrell government is conducting the assessment behind closed doors,
according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

('Packer project will cost state $14m in taxes, says Echo boss,' Sydney
Morning Herald 17 June page 3, http://j.mp/15aqGxr)

Dr Kaye said: "Wildly different estimates of tax, jobs and economic impacts
of another casino is another sign that the community is being kept in the
dark by the O'Farrell government's secretive assessment process.

"Echo and Crown are playing consultants at twenty paces while the community
is increasingly frustrated by the lack of independent information.

"If Echo is right, the Baranagroo casino will cost the state $14 million in
lost tax revenue because the available pool of gaming losses will be spread
across two separate tax accounts.

"Echo contests James Packer's projections for jobs and impacts on the
state's economy.

"Neither corporation is prepared to talk publicly about increased problem
gambling, corruption risks or damage to Sydney's reputation.

"This is a high stakes decision that is being conducted behind closed doors
by a highly secretive committee.

"The public is being denied access to key documents, forcing them to read
between the claim and counter claim of two gambling corporations.

"The Premier must dump his unsolicited proposals process and start again
with an open, accountable and independent assessment of the Crown and Echo
applications," 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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