Crisafulli vows to support Queensland casino workers if Star falls
It has a potential lifeline in the form of a $100 million debt facility but has not been able to access that capital.
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Without obtaining the lifeline, Star could be at risk of entering administration.
Crisafulli would not entertain any tax deferrals for the company and insisted the focus be on Queensland jobs.
“If you’re asking me whether or not I think it is a good use of taxpayer money to prop up individual companies, I would suggest to you the focus should be on individual workers,” he said.
If Star enters administration – Crisafulli would not speculate on the chances – it is unclear what the future of the Queen’s Wharf precinct will be.
The former government transferred the Brisbane casino licence from Star to the consortium, and appointed a special manager to oversee operations.
“Regardless of what happens with the ownership, our focus has to be on making sure there’s jobs,” Crisafulli said.
The LNP has promised to release a probity report into Chow Tai Fook – the company last year sued this masthead to prevent its publication – without giving a timeframe.
Crisafulli recommitted to its release, but said “there’s still some matters that are being investigated at the moment”.
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The government has already delayed the suspension of Star’s licence until March 2025 to allow time to assess whether the company has improved its culture, introduced safer gambling and stamped out financial crime. That also applies to the consortium.
Star has more than 9000 employees on the east coast. It sold the lease on its former Brisbane casino building, and hopes to offload other assets including a Brisbane carpark.
AAP
