The ailing Star Entertainment Group asked for pay roll and gambling tax deferrals from the Queensland government, just after the grand opening of its Brisbane casino. The company remains suspended by the ASX for failing to post its annual financial report on time. But anti-gambling advocates say this is only a "farce".
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00:00The drinks had only just started flowing for Brisbane's new casino.
00:06Now its main backer is asking the state government for financial support.
00:11We've been in discussions with them about their taxation arrangements.
00:17Last week Star Entertainment opened Queens Wharf, the new multi-billion dollar resort
00:21and casino precinct.
00:23A day later, a damning report found in New South Wales, Star had failed to reform a culture
00:29of unethical conduct.
00:31Star halted trading of its shares and yesterday was suspended from the stock exchange for
00:36failing to publish its financial results by deadline.
00:39You usually associate a trading halt with some washed out miner from the back of Burke.
00:44You don't usually associate a trading halt with a company that was a top hundred company
00:49and is now fading fast.
00:51Asked if the new Queens Wharf operations would be impacted, the Premier replied.
00:55Look I hope not.
00:56There are hundreds of Queenslanders who have a job this week that did not exist last week
01:02because of Queens Wharf Brisbane.
01:04So I really hope that Star are able to work through these difficulties.
01:09And the gambling giant is now betting on help from the state.
01:12Yes they've asked for support from the Queensland government but we're obviously working through
01:18those details with Star but our priority is focusing on the 1,400 new jobs.
01:25The ABC understands Star may be seeking gambling and payroll tax deferrals but the state government
01:31is adamant there won't be a tax break.
01:33Taxes must be paid and taxes will be paid by any entity who is liable to pay taxation
01:38in Queensland.
01:39This is a farce.
01:41To ask for payroll relief at this time is just ridiculous.
01:47This is the latest for the embattled Star Entertainment Group which has been the subject
01:51of multiple inquiries both here and in NSW, focusing on failings at the casinos including
01:58around controlling money laundering.
02:00Millions of dollars in fines and cost blowouts have added to its financial woes.
02:05If it goes into administration it's all over for the equity holders.
02:09A spokesman for Star declined to comment.