Queensland's Attorney-General has ordered a fresh investigation of organised crime links associated with one of the key shareholders in Brisbane's new casino — and referred them to an inquiry led by a former judge.
ABC Investigations revealed on Monday the business empire behind Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, a key backer of the multi-billion-dollar Queen's Wharf casino, had criminal associations, including through recent business ties.
But Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman, who described the ABC's findings as "incredibly concerning", has referred the matter back to the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR), the same regulator that first gave Chow Tai Fook a green light in 2015.
In a statement, Ms Fentiman told the ABC: "We are taking the recent allegations very seriously."
She said that "any new information that comes to light will be investigated by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, which undertakes ongoing suitability and compliance checks into casino licensees".
Ms Fentiman also referred the ABC's investigation to the current inquiry into Star's Queensland casinos, but the retired judge running it, Robert Gotterson, will have no power to investigate the criminal associations uncovered by the ABC.
"The independent expert review will look at Star's suitability to hold a licence here in Queensland, including associates such as Chow Tai Fook," she said.
But Justice Gotterson will make recommendations based on findings presented to him by OLGR, which is under Ms Fentiman.
Counsel assisting the inquiry, Jonathan Horton, told yesterday's hearing that "it will ultimately be a matter for the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, and the Attorney General how that [suitability] inquiry takes shape in its detail, on advice from you [Mr Gotterson]."
"But we will not, because of this, be investigating suitability as such."
In addition, any evidence gathered by OLGR on Chow Tai Fook's suitability will not be aired at this week's public hearings before Justice Gotterson, but instead be provided to him in a closed hearing afterwards.
'The same non-independent regulator'
Chris Sidoti, a former chair of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority in New South Wales, said it would be better for Justice Gotterson to direct the investigation himself.
"I would have thought that since you've got a former judge who's actually doing an inquiry, you get him to look at it and let him make the decision about whether it's done privately or by a public hearing," he said.
"I mean, he's the one who's best equipped to know what the best way of getting to the truth, getting the evidence.
"I'm not so worried about it being done behind closed doors. Given that these are not criminal standards of proof that's required, you need to be able to dig around and get information and get it frankly.
"[But] they're going back to the same non-independent regulator and asking it to have another look ... please."
Under Queensland's Casino Control Act, casino owners must not have any business association with anyone of ill-repute or questionable financial sources.
The Gotterson inquiry, in closed hearings into suitability questions about Star and its Hong Kong business partner, would be able to give advice to the regulator and the Attorney-General, but not use its powers under the Commissions of Inquiry Act to drive the investigation.
The ABC revealed the family business empire behind Chow Tai Fook had business partners in Macau casinos that were named by the United States government as organised crime figures.
US and Canadian authorities reported credible intelligence of the business group's dealings with Chinese Triads through casino VIP rooms.
The ABC revealed Chow Tai Fook, through a subsidiary, is today in business with an associate of one of the world's most notorious organised crime figures, "Broken Tooth" Wan Kuok Koi, who is sanctioned by the US government.
Chow Tai Fook also used secretive tax haven companies to stay in business in a Vietnam casino venture with a company founded by an alleged organised crime figure even after his arrest on money laundering and criminal association charges last year.
Ms Fentiman said: "If anyone has any ongoing concerns about Star or their associates, I encourage them to refer their concerns to the independent review for consideration."
