In late November last year, Star Entertainment Group chief executive Robbie Cooke held an end-of-year dinner for his direct reports and secretary at a fancy Spanish restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Potts Point called Parlar.

The event was held on the down low. After a horror year at the casino operator, all Christmas parties and lunches had been cancelled. Unlike their managers, Star’s 8000 staff were expected to be grateful for a modest gift voucher.