Second Gold Coast casino: LNP in State Parliament accused of embarrassing backflip

The State Government have hit back against LNP claims about a second Gold Coast casino, producing a document which they say proves the party has done an embarrassing backflip on the subject.

THE State Government has accused the LNP of an embarrassing backflip regarding the planned second casino licence on the Gold coast.

Opposition leader Deb Frecklingon in The Gold Coast Bulletin today ruled out supporting any new poker machines for a second Gold Coast casino, adding to a wave of opposition by residents and clubs to the global tourism hub.

LNP State Opposition, Deb Frecklington, visits Southport. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Ms Frecklington is backing her Coast MPs, including Southport’s Rob Molhoek and Bonney’s Sam O’Connor who are supporting clubs and residents in Southport opposed to a global tourism hub being built on public land at Carey Park.

“If elected, the LNP will rule out any new pokies on the Gold Coast. Labor need to start being upfront and immediately release the secret list of 11 sites that are being considered for their Gold Coast global tourism hub,” Ms Frecklington said.

The Government has come under sustained attack in recent days about their plans for a Global Tourism Hub, with Star boss Matt Bekier today saying it’s “a myth” that the Gold Coast needs a second casino.

But Tourism Minister Kate Jones went on the attack against Ms Frecklington in State Parliament during Question Time today.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones has called the LNP “a joke” over its changing position on a new casino for the Gold Coast. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Ms Jones first waved then tabled an LNP election brochure which showed the party under former leader Tim Nicholls supported the global tourism hub.

The election brochure, which includes a photograph of Mr Nicholls and Ms Frecklington, is on integrated resort developments, refers to “our real plan” and promises under the LNP that a registration of interest process for up to two regional casino licences would be made available within the first 100 days of the new government.

Election document for the LNP regarding second Gold Coast casino.

Ms Jones had earlier accused the LNP of saying one thing in the Parliament and taking a different position when fronting communities.

“Who can forget this beautiful document here when the leader of the Opposition was with Tim Nicholls. This is what they said in criticisms of us — Queenslanders are missing out on billions of dollars of jobs and investment because we stalled on the global tourism hub,” Ms Jones said.

“What a joke. She can’t control her team. You could do a vox pop and every single one of them has a different position.”