Qld lawyers have no comment on casino laws
Marty Silk |
Queensland’s peak lawyers body has declined to comment on proposed laws to crack down on casinos and money laundering.
A state parliament inquiry is probing a bill that would force operators to self-report legal breaches, expand the government’s power to gather information about casino operations and impose penalties of up to $50 million for breaches.
The proposed laws also include a cross-border recognition scheme for charitable fundraising and extending New Year’s Eve trading hours for venues.
The Queensland Law Society (QLS) has welcomed the fundraising changes, but repeated its call for a complete review of fundraising laws.
However, the body representing 13,000 legal practitioners made no comment on the primary casino and money laundering aspects of the bill.
“We’ve not considered them,” QLS member Myles McGregor-Lowndes said.
“This (submission) comes as an initiative of the (QLS) not-for-profit committee, so we’re really interested in fundraising, we have been for decades, to get some reform through.”
“So no, we’re not interested. Not ‘we’re not interested’, but the committee just hasn’t addressed it.”
When asked if there had been any talks with government ministers about its submission, QLS president Kara Thomson said no “formal decision” had been made not to comment on the casino and money laundering aspects of the bill.
“We’re here commenting on the other legislation part of this bill, we have no members who expressed any interest in commenting on the casino aspects of the bill,” QLS policy representative Wendy Devine added.
Star Entertainment Group chief executive Geoff Hogg has been giving evidence at the state parliament inquiry on Monday afternoon.
The inquiry into the proposed laws comes alongside a formal Commission of Inquiry into the suitability of Star to hold a casino licence in Queensland.
Former justice Robert Gotterson is probing Star’s commitment to anti-money laundering, its management of high rollers and the use of China UnionPay bank cards to facilitate gambling by Chinese nationals despite currency restrictions.
He will also look into Star’s approach to harm minimisation, including whether it’s fit for purpose.
The probe will also seek to find out if gamblers excluded by police in NSW were encouraged to attend casinos over the border.
The proposed laws being examined on Monday could be passed before the opening of the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf in Brisbane next year.
The development’s casino, Star Brisbane, will be operated by a subsidiary of Star Group.
AAP
