The Liberal Nationals will seek crossbench support to open an inquiry into Victoria’s gambling regulator that has failed to police alleged illegal behaviour inside Crown Casino.
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) has been left out of Daniel Andrews’ Royal Commission into alleged corruption and organised crime.
This is the inquiry that Daniel Andrews never wanted to have, and in being forced to do so, has limited the Royal Commission’s scope to protect those who have protected him.
The Royal Commission should not be nobbled by a narrow terms of reference.
Key witnesses that have not appeared before the Royal Commission include the CEO and the Director of Licensing of VCGLR. Nor has anyone appeared from the Departments of Justice, Premier and Cabinet, or Treasury and Finance, or from the Premier’s private office or the Premier himself.
Victorians deserve an open and transparent government – one that values accountability over coverups.
For too long this dodgy Andrews Labor Government has put its mates first and will do anything it can to coverup to protect their own jobs. Andrews and his Labor mates put their own jobs before the jobs of Victorians.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Steph Ryan:
“Daniel Andrews wants to bury the truth about Labor’s links to Crown and his failure to regulate the casino.
“We will seek support of Parliament to examine why the regulator locked gaming inspectors from following up on concerns about money laundering, drug dealing and organised crime.
Comments attributable to Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, David Davis:
“It is imperative given the findings from New South Wales and the hair-raising allegations thus far from the Victorian Royal Commission, that the terms of reference be expanded to include the role and actions of the regulator, the VCGLR.
“A light must be shone on this deficient regulator that smells to high heaven.”
