Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Steph Ryan MP

Crown Royal Commission set up to fail

Chance to fix gambling laws will be missed by the Royal Commission.

By news@gippsland - 26th May 2021 - Back to News

With 78,000 documents to go through and just 76 days until the Crown Casino Royal Commission is due to report its findings, it’s clear the Labor Government has set the inquiry up to fail. Unless an extension is granted to the August deadline, the Commission will be forced to shovel through more than 1000 documents a day to examine the material currently before it.

Crown Melbourne is a casino and resort located on the south bank of the Yarra River, in Melbourne, Australia, and is a unit of Crown Limited, and the first casino of the now-international Crown brand

Protecting rather than holding accountable for

Crown Casino dumped 13,000 documents on Friday – just two days out from the first day of public hearings today – after multiple requests for extensions. Shadow Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Steph Ryan said the Commission was being used as cover by the Andrews Labor Government. "This is the Royal Commission Daniel Andrews never wanted to have."

"The Labor Government’s decision to ‘fast-track’ this investigation and refuse to allow it the time and scope to do its job just shows this is more about protecting Daniel Andrews’ mates at Crown than holding them to account." Ms Ryan said.

Serious allegations

Ms Ryan said, "There are serious allegations of criminal activity and money laundering at Melbourne’s Casino, yet the Victorian Regulator has been excluded from the Royal Commission’s view. NSW’s Inquiry into Crown Casino’s commentary about the Victorian regulator was damning, labelling its approach to the regulation of Crown as "naïve".

Putting the state regulators under microscope

Ms Ryan also said, "Western Australia has given its Royal Commission the power to put the state’s regulator under the microscope – why is Daniel Andrews refusing to do the same in Victoria? It’s clear the Labor Government wants this to be a whitewash that finds nothing new."

"For Labor, this Royal Commission is just another layer of process it can hide behind and use as an excuse to refuse to comment. The only way forward is to extend the timeframe and expand the Terms of Reference to put the Victorian regulator under the microscope."

Pictures from Crown Melbourne Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Danny O’Brien calls for Royal Commission into Big Build corruption, urging petition support
  Danny O’Brien is urging Gippslanders to support a petition calling for a Royal Commission into alleged Big Build corruption, claiming $15 billion in lost taxpayer funds and missed regional investment.
• Melina Bath celebrates volunteers at Foster Royal Flying Doctor Community Transport luncheon supporting healthcare access
  Melina Bath recognised volunteers during National Volunteer Week at Foster, highlighting Royal Flying Doctor Community Transport impact supporting South Gippsland healthcare access and community connection.
• Victorian Health Department sets Gippsland priorities, access, workforce, safety, shared services, and mental health expansion
  The Victorian Department of Health has set four Gippsland health priorities: access, workforce, safety, and shared services, while highlighting mental health needs and significant workforce investment at Warragul's regional health leaders' forum.
• Bairnsdale Nicholson Street Mall set for revitalisation with investor support, safety measures, and redevelopment plans
  Bairnsdale Nicholson Street Mall holds redevelopment potential, with council pursuing funding, investor support, and short-term activations while addressing anti-social behaviour and ensuring safety for traders and the community.
• Latrobe City outdoor pools set to reopen for summer with weather-based opening days ahead
  Latrobe City’s outdoor pools reopen 29 November, operating on days forecast at 25 degrees celsius. Moe and Yallourn North offer family-friendly facilities, with Yallourn North free. Council highlights community enjoyment and water-safety benefits.
• Bass Coast Christmas Giving Trees set up to support local families in need this festive season
  Bass Coast Shire Council’s Christmas Giving Trees are collecting gifts, gift cards, and food to support local families, with donations accepted at Customer Service Centres until early December.
• Drouin’s Commercial Place Stage 1 of the $1.1M project set to begin this to boost safety, accessibility and vibrancy
  Stage 1 of the $1.1 million Drouin Commercial Place upgrade begins this week, improving safety, accessibility, footpaths, carparks, and pedestrian areas, with minimal disruption and partial parking available.
• Latrobe unites to tackle gambling harm during awareness week: 'Set Before You Bet' 2025
  Latrobe City Council is urging residents to take part in Gambling Harm Awareness Week (27 Oct - 2 Nov) and "Set before you bet" by learning to recognise signs and reduce gambling harm.
• Omeo celebrates opening of 114 km world-class mountain bike park set to transform regional adventure tourism
  Omeo has opened a $10 million, 114-kilometre mountain bike park, boosting tourism, supporting local businesses, and celebrating new streetscape and flood-recovery works that strengthen the town’s recreation spaces and future growth.