December 2022
The case that’s making Australia’s director class shake
ASIC’s bombshell case against Star Entertainment is only the third time that the regulator has gone after the entire board of a listed company, in a shot across the bow for Australia’s director class.
- Updated
- Hannah Wootton and Elouise Fowler
Star case to spur directors to dig deeper ‘if there is a smell’
The members of Australia’s company boards will be more rigorous in their review of key business risks after ASIC took legal action against 11 officials at Star Entertainment.
- Updated
- Sally Patten
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The three crucial themes in ASIC’s landmark case against Star
ASIC chairman Joe Longo says the risks associated with running a casino are at the “core” of the business, and it is incumbent on directors to ensure those risks are being addressed.
- Updated
- Tony Boyd
Dishonourable discharge for Star directors
Will a Federal Court lawsuit inspire anyone to hand in their Order of Australia pin? We’ll die holding our breath.
- Michael Roddan
The Queensland lawyer at the heart of Star scandal
The casino company’s former top counsel, Paula Martin, should have warned the board about a potentially criminal junket operator, ASIC alleges.
- Aaron Patrick
The 11 Star officers sued by ASIC and their alleged failures
ASIC alleges that 11 Star directors and executives failed to ‘sufficiently focus’ on the risks of money laundering and criminal associations in its casinos.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
ASIC case exposes Bekier and O’Neill’s blame game
In the casino sector, big money carries big risk. And the Star executives and board members in ASIC’s sights must now explain how they missed the obvious dangers of a VIP business flooded with money.
- James Thomson
Star’s alleged junket failures, according to ASIC
The corporate regulator’s 164-page lawsuit against former Star directors alleges it did business with a junket operator despite numerous red flags.
- Aaron Patrick
June 2022
‘Reformed’ Star makes final plea to save Sydney casino licence
The casino operator has urged regulators to recognise its management purge and operational reforms in a plea to retain its casino licence.
- Lucas Baird and Elouise Fowler
May 2022
Star director Sally Pitkin goes out with a bang
The jig is up for this ridiculous narrative that The Star were somehow the good guys.
- Joe Aston
Star director concedes he should have asked more questions
Ben Heap couldn’t explain why an executive, who gave evidence he “knowingly misled” the regulator, was still employed at the Sydney casino.
- Elouise Fowler and Lucas Baird
Bekier’s bid to shield Star’s board falls flat with inquiry
NSW inquiry chair Adam Bell, SC, challenged the former Star CEO’s claims that his subordinates and industry practices set up by Crown were to blame for the company’s misconduct.
- Updated
- Hannah Wootton and Elouise Fowler
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Sorry Matt Bekier, the fish still rots from the head
The former boss of The Star Entertainment Group this week argued there were limits on the influence of board and management. But surely a firm’s biggest risks deserve the most attention.
- James Thomson
Star manager misappropriated $13m before ‘disappearing’: inquiry
Former CEO Matt Bekier denied the casino’s VIP team was “out of control”, despite blaming all the misconduct uncovered by the NSW inquiry on the division.
- Hannah Wootton and Elouise Fowler
What Matt Bekier told Star inquiry on Day 2
Former Star CEO Matt Bekier told the inquiry on day two of his evidence that he knew about the Suncity junket, directly approved over $22 million of funds without checking its source, and the board was not to blame for the misconduct. How today unfolded.
- Updated
- Campbell Kwan
Star’s Bekier approved ‘extraordinary’ $22m debit card withdrawal
The former Star CEO also conceded to an inquiry he ‘let’ the ‘sharp practice’ of the casino’s controversial China UnionPay take place under his watch.
- Elouise Fowler and Hannah Wootton
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Bekier’s not afraid to throw old mates under the bus
Former CEO Matt Bekier arrived at The Star inquiry aiming to ring-fence culpability for the company’s woes. But his admissions of clear problems were welcome.
- Updated
- James Thomson
Bekier blames ‘subculture’ of ‘dark arts’ for Star’s misconduct
Former CEO Matt Bekier also said he was “personally let down” by his colleagues and denied he or the board should have known the extent of the wrongdoing.
- Hannah Wootton and Elouise Fowler
April 2022
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Bekier must show Star actually deserves a second chance
Matt Bekier’s appearance at the Star inquiry will focus on the past, but he must also show the Star understands its mistakes and is ready for reform.
- James Thomson
Ex Star-CEO Bekier finally steps into the casino probe spotlight
Former Star Entertainment chief executive Matt Bekier will this week face the inquiry that cost him his job.
- Lucas Baird