A hard-line stance will be adopted by the Queensland government to ensure troubled casino operator Star Entertainment pays its taxes.
However Deputy Premier Cameron Dick says tax relief talks are continuing with Star in a bid to keep Queen’s Wharf open and avert a “disaster” for local businesses.
The Star reportedly needs $300 million (US$202 million) in short-term funding to continue operating the $3.6 billion (US$2.4 billion) precinct in Brisbane’s CBD, barely a week after it opened.
The state government has begun talks with Star, with tax payment deferrals being discussed.
The move has reportedly outraged local cafe and restaurant owners who have questioned why the Star should receive special treatment while they battle financial pressure.
But Dick said the state government would ensure Star met its obligations.
“Whatever happens, I'll make this clear—state taxes must be paid,” he told reporters on Sep. 6.
“We will take a hard line with Star and we will ensure that they pay their taxes.
“This company must meet its obligations to, of course its workers, to its suppliers and to the taxpayers of Queensland.”
Dick said the state government would do what it could to protect the precinct’s 3000 staff and thousands of businesses impacted by its potential closure.
“The company has made a lot of mistakes. They have been punished for those mistakes and rightly so,” Dick said.
“But we are not going to punish the workers and the small businesses who are supplying through that incredible development.”
The Queensland government has delayed a threatened suspension of Star’s casino licences until December.
A 2022 independent review found Star was unfit to hold a licence in Queensland, identifying major failings in anti-money laundering attempts and responsible gaming efforts.
The Queen’s Wharf staged opening began with much fanfare just days ago on Aug. 29, employing a total of 3000 people with 1400 new jobs.
“There are thousands of suppliers, mum and dad businesses, who...have commercial arrangements with all of those businesses operating from the Queen’s Wharf development,” Dick said.
“So it’s all on the line for those businesses and those workers.
“So of course we’re in discussions with the company to see if we can do whatever we can to avoid a disaster for those businesses and those thousands of workers.”
Star has casinos in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney, with CEO Steve McCann also lobbying the New South Wales (NSW) government for financial relief.
NSW officials have been under pressure to safeguard the jobs of thousands of people either directly or indirectly reliant on The Star’s Sydney casino.
Gaming Minister David Harris told a budget estimates hearing on Sep. 6 the government had looked at a “range of contingencies” for the casino, including in the event that The Star collapsed financially.
“We’ve been doing that for a period of time going back to last year,” he said.
Under a previous deal struck with the casino operator, the state agreed to defer a planned poker-machine tax increase in return for a transitional deal that included a guarantee for 3000 jobs.
The Star is due to pay penalties if it falls below the required threshold.
“We’re not currently considering any further assistance,” Harris said.
“Our worry is that the Queen’s Wharf development has serious financial issues and we don’t want NSW taxpayer money being deferred to that.”
The state opposition and United Workers Union have called for the Labor government to consider further aid for the casino to prevent job losses.
Opposition gaming spokesman Kevin Anderson seized on revelations Harris had not had any direct talks with The Star since earlier in the year, despite the cloud hanging over the casino’s future.
“It is extremely concerning that with so much at risk the minister is refusing to even pick up the phone,” he said.
