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Daniel Andrews desperate to stop any investigation of regulator failure to police alleged criminal activity at Crown CasinoThe Andrews Labor Government is scrambling to save face today with its decision to establish a new casino and gambling regulator before the Crown Casino Royal Commission delivers its final report. By news@gippsland - 3rd August 2021 - Back to News The announcement comes a day before State Parliament is due to consider a motion to establish a parliamentary inquiry to put Victoria's gambling regulator under the microscope. Daniel Andrews never wanted this Royal Commission.
Daniel Andrews is desperate to stop any investigation of the regulator's failure to police alleged criminal activity at Crown, but he real question is why, and what is Labor hiding?
Deserve transparent government
Victorians deserve an open and transparent government - one that values accountability over cover-ups. Labor's decision to establish a new regulator now, without holding an independent inquiry into the failings of the existing regulator or waiting for the Royal Commission's final report, is hypocritical.
Under Labor Victoria's gaming regulator has monumentally failed. It has given Crown a free pass, with former inspectors saying the regulator discouraged investigations into the casino. Despite these concerns, the government refused to allow the regulator to be investigated by the Royal Commission.
What is labor hiding?
Daniel Andrews is desperate to stop any investigation of the regulator's failure to police alleged criminal activity at Crown. The real question is why. What is Labor hiding?
Council select committee - Inquiry into Crown casino
Below is the motion to be considered by State Parliament's Upper House on Wednesday (August 4).
Mr O'Donohue said, "I give notice, that on the next day of meeting, I will move, that - "
| Council select committee - Inquiry into Crown casino
|
| 1. this House - |
| (a) notes the allegations regarding the regulation of Crown Casino and criticisms of the
performance of the current regulatory regime; |
| (b) further notes allegations regarding the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor
Regulation's failure to investigate the possible corruption of AFL betting markets;
|
| (c) calls on the Andrews Labor Government to amend the Terms of Reference for the Finkelstein
Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence, within seven days of the House
agreeing to this resolution, by inserting a paragraph that states "If you consider the casino
regulatory regime, including the regulator, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor
Regulation, suitable and whether you consider changes relevant to the casino regulatory
regime are required";
|
| (d) further notes the findings of recent New South Wales inquiries into Crown Casino under
section 143 of the Casino Control Act 1992 (NSW);
|
| (e) further notes the findings of Commissioner Patricia Bergin and the recommendations
concerning Crown Resorts and the more general recommendations for a new regulatory body,
an independent Casino Control Commission, that should be established via legislation to act
as a dedicated, stand alone, specialist casino regulator with the powers of a standing royal
commission;
|
| 2. Terms of reference |
| If no variation of the Terms of Reference pursuant to paragraph (1)(c) has been gazetted within
seven days of the House agreeing to this resolution, as advised to Members by the Clerk, a Select
Committee be established to inquire into, consider and report, by 20 December 2021, on the
implications of the Bergin Inquiry findings with respect to the existing Crown Casino licence in
Victoria and casino regulation more generally in Victoria and the regulator's failure to investigate the
possible corruption of AFL betting markets;
|
| 3. The clerk and report |
| If the Committee proposes to transmit a report for the Inquiry to the House on a day when the
House is not sitting, the Chair may give the report to the Clerk and - |
| (a) the Clerk must - |
- (i) as soon as practicable after the report is received give a copy of the report to each Member
of the House;
|
- (ii) as soon as practicable after the report is received cause the report to be published on the
Tabled Documents Database and the Committee's website;
|
- (iii) cause the report to be tabled in the House on the next sitting day of the House;
|
| (b) The report |
| 4. Committee members |
| The Committee shall consist of seven Members comprising three Members from the Government
nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Council, two Members from the Opposition
nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Council and two Members from among the
remaining Members in the Council nominated jointly by minority groups and independent Members;
|
| 5. Majority of the members |
| Majority of the Members appointed pursuant to paragraph (4) will constitute a quorum of the
Committee;
|
| 6. Committee chair |
| The Chair of the Committee must be a non-Government Member; |
| 7. Exercising vote |
| In addition to exercising a deliberative vote, when votes on a question are equally divided, the Chair,
or the Deputy Chair when acting as chair, shall have a casting vote;
|
| 8. Proceed to conduct business |
| The Committee shall proceed to conduct business within seven days of its establishment,
notwithstanding that all Members have not been appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy;
|
| 9. Sel-established investigation |
| The Committee may examine, call for, and compel evidence in relation to the Victorian Commission
for Gambling and Liquor Regulation's recently announced, self-established investigation;
|
| 10. Consistent with the powers |
| Consistent with the powers of the Legislative Council, the Committee may - |
| (a) Compel witnesses to attend the Committee; |
| (b) require the production of documents and other things; and |
| 11. Resolution provisions |
| The foregoing provisions of this resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the Standing and
Sessional Orders or practices of both Houses will have effect notwithstanding anything contained in
the Standing and Sessional Orders or practices of both Houses
|
Pictures from Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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