Government secret Gold Coast casino play as Premier refuses to reveal sites
The State Government is under pressure to release details on 11 possible sites for a second casino on the Gold Coast. The Opposition claims the Premier is ducking and weaving.
Council
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PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk is being accused of misleading Parliament about the planned second Gold Coast casino.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor in Question Time today asked the Premier to reveal “Labor’s secret list of 11 public spaces” being considered for the proposed global tourism hub.
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“I advise the member that that was not done by the state,” Ms Palaszczuk replied.
“I am advised that it was done by the council. Perhaps he might want to pick up the phone to Mayor Tom Tate.”
The Bulletin late last month confirmed Southport’s Carey Park was one of 11 sites “in play” for the Coast’s second casino.
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City councillors behind closed doors had been briefed on a confidential draft report on the project which advised that PWC had been appointed by the Government and completed a strategic assessment.
“Eleven sites were identified by PWC as having potential to support a GTH on the Gold Coast,” a report to councillors said.
The sites were listed in order of ranking but that section of the report was redacted when later put online on the council website.
Outside the Parliament, Mr O’Connor told The Bulletin: “The Premier has mislead Parliament. The 11 secret sites for a second casino are from a report the Government asked for, not the council.
“Gold Coasters deserve to know which public land Labor want to turn into a new casino. Release the secret list.”
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Mr O’Connor said the Government should be upfront about the location given the impact of a casino in a city which loses “ nearly $40,000 an hour to pokies.”
The responses have shocked Southport MP Rob Molhoek who has been supporting residents in their campaign to preserve public land at Carey Park.
He asked why the Premier was being “so quick to duck and weave on our question about proposed locations”.
“I thought the proposed EIO for a Global Tourism Hub and casino was being proudly being championed by the Premier and Minister for Tourism,” he said.
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“Why is the Premier now flick passing this to council. What’s changed, why is the Premier now distancing herself from the proposed tourism hub and casino. Why is she now denying the state’s initiation of and active participation in this proposal.”
The Bulletin is seeking comment from the Premier.
Government sources have consistently maintained its bureaucrats have not selected sites, rather done due diligence on several potential locations.
“It’s council’s report. They should release the 11 sites if they have the sites,” a government source said.
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