Palaszczuk to investigate tightening lobbying laws after Labor-linked lobbyist consulted to Star
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has reaffirmed her commitment to investigate tightening lobbying laws in the state after it was revealed a Labor-linked lobbyist was providing consultancy services to Star Entertainment.
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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has reaffirmed her commitment to investigate tightening lobbying laws in the state after it was revealed a Labor-linked lobbyist was providing consultancy services to Star Entertainment.
The Attorney-General is today expected to address calls for an inquiry into the gambling giant.
Probes into the sector in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia uncovered disturbing evidence of money laundering, bank fraud and connections to international crime syndicates at The Star and Crown.
It comes amid revelations that Labor lobbyist Evan Moorhead was providing consultancy services to Star Entertainment.
Anacta Strategies, founded by Mr Moorhead who used to work in the Premier’s office, on Monday insisted the firm had never spoken with the state government about any casino matters.
But the Palaszczuk government has so far resisted calls to launch its own inquiry into the gambling giant which operates a casino on the Gold Coast and will be the gaming operator for the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf development in Brisbane.
Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman recently introduced laws to tighten casino regulations — including a $50 million fine for integrity breaches.
Anacta on Monday said Mr Moorhead conducted occasional research and advisory work while insisting the casino relied on its own in-house lobbying services.
“We have always disclosed lobbying clients and contacts in accordance with the law,” an Anacta spokesman said.
“We have had no contact with the Queensland government about any casino matters.”
The casino group said Mr Moorhead had not been commissioned for lobbying purposes.
“Anyone engaged as a lobbyist for The Star would be declared on the lobbyist register, and we don’t discuss publicly any of the many arrangements we have across the organisation which may be commercial in confidence,” a spokeswoman said.
The Premier refused to comment on why Queensland hadn’t held an inquiry, instead deferring to Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman, who wasn’t at the press conference, while insisting her government was taking “all of these issues very seriously”.
“What has been raised in New South Wales is serious,” she said.
“Our Cabinet takes it seriously and I’ll let the Attorney-General make further comments.”
Asked whether she was keeping an open mind about whether Queensland could hold an independent public inquiry, the Premier said Cabinet was “carefully considering all of these matters”.
And when pressed on whether it was appropriate for Mr Moorhead to be providing consultancy services in light of not being required to declare that work on the lobbyists’ register, the Premier said she was looking at tightening lobbying laws.
“I’ve been on the public record saying that and I’ll have further comments to make after we see Peter Coaldrake’s report which is due at the end of June,” she said.
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