Gold Coast second casino: cost of report kept secret from taxpayers

Millions of dollars have been spent by the State Government to secure a global tourism hub for the Gold Coast, including on the potential site of the multi-billion development.

THE State Government has spent $2.5 million of department resources on pursuing a second casino for the Gold Coast and $219,000 on securing a secret report on sites.

The details have emerged during questioning today when Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones and senior bureaucrats appeared at State Parliament for an Estimates Hearing.

Minister for Innovation and the Tourism Industry Kate Jones at the Gold Coast bid announcement. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Ms Jones and Opposition tourism spokesman David Crisafulli clashed during the questioning, with the Minister accusing the Broadwater MP of hypocrisy on the controversial issue of poker machine licences.

Mr Crisafulli began his questions by asking about a KPMG report where he had been surveyed which contained a list of 11 potential sites which remain secret.

The Bulletin has revealed that Carey Park on public land in Southport remains a favourite despite strong opposition from nearby residents and LNP MPs.

“I’ve read reports about some proponents being shown the sites yet the Gold Coast community hasn’t been told where those sites are,” Mr Crisafulli told the hearing.

Director General Damien Walker in responding to questions said the Government had made clear two things about the GTH on the Coast.

“There is no preferred site for Gold Coast global tourism hub and that this transaction is being pursued on the basis of no net increase in EGMs on the Gold Coast, and it’s on that basis that we are taking this transaction forward,” he said.

COAST POKIE NUMBERS CLIMB

David Crisafulli at State Parliament. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

BROADWATER PARKLANDS A ‘NO GO’ ZONE FOR CASINO

Answers provided to Mr Crisafulli show $2.5 million in departmental and ministerial expenses has been spent on the Coast GTH. The Cairns project has a $2.9 million spend.

At the close of the session, the Broadwater MP was told the cost of the external consultants was $219,000.

But Ms Jones targeted him for his role when the LNP put out its integrated resort policy during the last election and for rolling out two casino licences as part of the former Newman Government’s integrated resort plan.

“There is no mention of caps on poker machines at all. Just like there was no cap when they approved ASF development down the Gold Coast on The Spit on a location that nobody in the community wanted,” she said.

“Thankfully with the leadership of the Premier we have now ruled out.”

GAMING RESORT QUITS RACE FOR CASINO

Aerial view of Carey Park at Southport, an area proposed for a new casino for the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson.

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Ms Jones described the LNP’s current position in the poker machine debate as “appalling” because in government it was backing a new casino on The Spit “where we would have seen up to potentially 2000 additional poker machines”.

“Because there was no talk of caps ever. Under any of the media releases or statements by any Newman Government minister including the shadow about whether they wanted a cap,” she said.

“It’s funny when you (Mr Crisafulli) move 1200 kilometres (from Cairns to the Gold Coast) how you change your point of view.

“So I find it highly galling that the LNP come in here and try to be holier than though when it comes to this issue. There is only one side of politics that talks about a cap, and it is Labor.”