Opposition calls for inquiry to probe casino’s ‘cosy links’ to Labor

The independent probe into alleged money laundering, dodgy Chinese gambling, and highrolling junkets at Star’s Queensland casinos should be expanded, the Opposition argues.

Opposition justice spokesman Tim Nicholls has appealed for the inquiry to be widened. Picture: Liam Kidston

The independent probe into ­alleged money laundering, dodgy Chinese gambling and high­rolling junkets at Star’s Queensland casinos should be expanded to investigate the company’s “cosy” links with the Palaszczuk government, unions and a Labor lobbyist, the opposition argues.

After months of resisting pressure to call an inquiry into Star, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in June committed to appointing an external investigator to probe Star’s fitness to hold casino licences in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, as it builds its $3.6bn Queen’s Wharf flagship in the Queensland capital.

Retired Supreme Court judge Robert Gotterson will run the inquiry with all the powers of a royal commission, with the ability to call current and former executives and board members of Star to give evidence.

Retired Supreme Court judge Robert Gotterson will now lead an independent inquiry into Star Entertainment’s fitness to hold casino licences in Queensland. Picture: Liam Kidston

He will consider Star’s commitment to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism finan­cing responsi­bilities, manage­ment of VIP and international patrons, and use of ChinaPay debit cards to help facilitate gambling by Chinese nationals in contravention of Chinese law.

Opposition justice spokesman Tim Nicholls has written to Mr Gotterson, appealing for him to widen the inquiry to include the interactions between Star, its board members, the government, unions, lobbyists and the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.

Mr Nicholls said reporting in The Australian, which revealed Labor lobbyist Evan Moorhead had been hired by Star as a consultant and Star held fundraisers for former attorney-general Yvette D’Ath when she was casino regulator, was concerning.

“It all just seems murky, and for the state’s dominant casino operator to continue to have a ­social licence to operate, and for the public to have confidence in the government’s ability to regulate and not just co-operate, these are matters that are worthy of inquiry,” he said. “What we see are all the hallmarks of a relationship that’s too cosy between the government and Star.”

Labor lobbyist Evan Moorhead, who has worked as a consultant for Star Entertainment after he resigned as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s head of government strategy. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman has said even if the serious allegations of money laundering and unlawful behaviour were proven at Star’s operations in Queensland, efforts would be made to keep the casinos open, if with a provisional licence.

Sarah Elks