Christian Porter refers Crown claims to Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity

The integrity watchdog has been ordered to investigate allegations of corruption involving gambling giant Crown.

Attorney-General Christian Porter. Picture: Kym Smith.

The Morrison government has ordered an integrity watchdog to investigate allegations of corruption involving the gambling giant Crown Resorts.

Attorney-General Christian Porter today referred allegations over Crown and government agencies to the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI).

“There are sufficient concerns to warrant at least further investigations,” Mr Porter told parliament.

Crown Resorts told the market it “absolutely rejects” allegations of illegality made in Parliament today, as it pledged to assist with investigations after its shares sank as much as 4 per cent following the announcement of the inquiry.

In a statement, a Crown spokesperson noted the referral of the investigation to the law enforcement watchdog but said allegations were “ill informed”.

“Crown absolutely rejects allegations of illegality made in Parliament today and in recent media reporting. We believe these allegations are ill-informed and an attempt to smear the company,” the spokesperson said.

“If there is any evidence of unlawful conduct, we encourage individuals or organisations to contact the relevant authorities.”

Crown shares finished the session down 1.9 per cent at $12.03.

Crossbench MPs Andrew Wilkie and Rebekha Sharkie had called for a joint parliamentary committee to investigate Nine Entertainment Co reports about links between Crown and Chinese organised crime.

It’s been alleged that Commonwealth officials fast-tracked visas for Chinese high-rollers visiting Crown properties.

Mr Porter said the integrity commission would be the best avenue for an investigation as it had the power to take out search warrants and hold hearings.

He said the government took allegations of wrongdoing seriously, particularly by members of law enforcement, immigration and customs authorities.

“They, of course as the part of the broader Australian law enforcement community, hold very privileged positions, and as such are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.”

ACLEI is only able to investigate law enforcement agencies, so if wrongdoing by Crown employees is uncovered, the watchdog will refer it to federal police.

Mr Porter said the next steps were now up to ACLEI, and he would make further statements depending on its decision.

Labor’s legal affairs spokesman Mark Dreyfus said the opposition did not back a joint parliamentary committee, as the matter had been referred to ACLEI.

Greens MP Adam Bandt accused both sides of providing a “protection racket” for Crown, a claim both Mr Porter and Mr Dreyfus earlier rejected.

Nine today alleged Crown was one of a number of companies to have an arrangement with the immigration department to fast-track applications for short-stay visas.

The visa arrangement involving Crown’s clients began in 2003 under the Howard coalition government and continued under the Gillard Labor government in 2011, but ended in 2016, Nine reported.

An earlier report accused Crown of laundering large sums of money through its Melbourne gaming venue - allegations the casino giant has strongly rejected.

With AAP