Union backs Crown in Brisbane casino bid

A trade union group has backed Crown Resorts in its bid to win a license for a casino in downtown Brisbane, expressing concern over rival bidder Echo Entertainment’s links with former Macau gambling king Stanley Ho.

United Voice secretary Gary Bullock expressed concern that Chow Tai Fook, a Hong Kong jewellery chain which has teamed with Echo on the bid, has a stake in one of Ho’s companies, The Brisbane Times reported.

In a recent probity hearing for a six-star project in Sydney, Crown Resorts was only granted a New South Wales license after assuring the government that it would not allow involvement by Ho in the state.

"Our concern is the rushed probity checks that the Newman government is going through at the moment may come up with a position of people winning that tender without going through the proper checks," he said.

"It will be a travesty if the wrong decision is made and undesirables are allowed to operate casinos in Queensland, if that is the case," Bullock said.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said it was "bizarre" for a union to involve itself in the process, but the move would not influence it.

 

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