Gold Coast: State governemnt leaders called ‘buffoons’ over bungling deal with casino

State Government leaders and advisers are being called buffoons and accused of bungling a deal with The Star, including a $100 million upgrade of the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

STATE Government leaders and advisers are being called buffoons and accused of bungling a deal with The Star for a $100 million upgrade of the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

Mermaid Beach LNP MP Ray Stevens has attacked Labor, saying if it had done the deal with Star - which has stood down thousands of staff - it would have given tradies and tourism an immediate post-coronavirus lift.

The Gold Coast Convention Centre. Picture Glenn Hampson.

A month after talks began before Christmas, details emerged of a 30-year casino monopoly push where the entertainment giant Star would contractually commit to its $2 billion masterplan including five more towers and a $100 million for the convention centre upgrade.

It would also upgrade its Sheraton Mirage property. Star has previously said the convention centre money was ready to go meaning any construction could begin as soon as possible.

“I cannot believe the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s financial incompetency of not grabbing

Star casino’s offer of $100 million to expand the Gold Coast Convention Centre last year,

when it was on offer,” Mr Stevens said.

“In return for exclusivity of casino operation on the Gold Coast for 30 years we would have got an upgraded convention centre which will be sorely needed when we come through this coronavirus catastrophe.”

Ray Stevens MP, Parliament House Annexe, Brisbane — they bungled the casino deal. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

MORE NEWS

First designs revealed for new $3m Pimpama Fire Station

‘I think it’s the very least the government can do to recognise our health heroes’

Star wants 30-year exclusive agreement from State Government

Mr Stevens also said the Government going to the market for a global tourism hub developer as “hocus pocus” and a rival to Star “never existed, was never identified”.

“We could have had a signed Convention Centre expansion contract for $100 million by Star Entertainment Group which would have given tradies, builders and tourism operators something to look forward to when we come through this COVID-19 tunnel,” he said.

“Instead, we have Star standing down thousands of staff and coming under financial stress

itself with no expansion of the Convention Centre in sight.

“Thank you Anastasia Palaszczuk, Kate Jones and your buffoon Labor Party advisers for not

delivering a golden opportunity for investment in Gold Coast tourism infrastructure. You are

no friends to the Gold Coast and we can’t wait for October 31 to come around for the

Queensland State election.”

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones told The Bulletin: “Given Australians are still dying every day, it’s upsetting to see such cheap political point scoring from Ray.

Kate Jones at The Star — this is cheap political point scoring by Ray Stevens. Pic Mike Batterham.

“The reality is, if there was an offer to build a $100 million convention centre with no strings attached, we definitely would have accepted it.

“The Mayor agreed, that the deal offered was not in the best interest of Gold Coasters.”

Ms Jones said the Government would always act in the best interests of Gold Coasters, not take the politically easy fix.

“When it comes to acting in the best interest of the Gold Coast, I’d trust Tom Tate over Ray Stevens any day,” she said.

A Star Entertainment Group spokesman said: “Everyone is aware of the impact on tourism with the coronavirus. It has changed the landscape, is impacting everyone.

“However, we remain in an exclusive negotiation process with the State and it would be inappropriate to comment on that process or the state of that process.”