Tax relief may be provided to Star Entertainment as the troubled casino operator battles to keep a $3.6 billion project running just days after its grand opening.
The Queensland government is in talks with Star which reportedly needs $300 million in short-term funding to continue operating Queen’s Wharf precinct in Brisbane's CBD.
The staged opening of the 12 hectare project began with much fanfare just days ago on August 29, employing a total of 3000 people with 1400 new jobs.
"The worst case scenario would be that they have to close their doors not long after opening them," Premier Steven Miles told reporters on Wednesday.
However he said the state government would do everything they could to avoid that, with tax payment deferrals for Star being discussed.
"This is a fantastic asset for our city. It is a big job generator. It is a major attraction to our city and state," he said.
"It is an important platform for Brisbane 2032 and everything that we're going to do in our city over the over the next decade or so.
"So we want to keep them open."
Star has casinos in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney, with CEO Steve McCann also lobbying the NSW government for financial relief.
However the NSW government has already ruled out providing further taxpayer assistance because it would "primarily support the Star’s Queensland expansions", drawing Mr Miles' ire.
"I think that's pretty disappointing. This is an important employer in Sydney as well and if I was the NSW government I'd want to keep those people in jobs," Mr Miles said.
The premier said it was not unusual for the state government to discuss tax deferrals for projects with large capital costs and big job dividends "provided that ultimately they get paid".
Shares in Star Entertainment were temporarily suspended from trading on the ASX this week after the casino operator failed to lodge its financial results on time.
It held off on posting its earnings report on Friday after receiving the NSW Independent Casino Commission's second Bell Report that morning.
The report said it was still unsuitable to hold a casino licence.
Queensland's gambling regulator approved a licence for the new Queen's Wharf casino two days before the report's release.
The NSW regulator is still mulling the future of Star's suspended licence for its Sydney casino after the second probe.
The Queensland government has delayed a threatened suspension of Star's casino licences until December after the latest NSW inquiry.
A 2022 independent review found Star was unfit to hold a licence in Queensland, identifying major failings in anti-money laundering attempts and responsible gaming efforts.
Meanwhile, the Queensland government has been accused of helping block the release of a probity report into company Chow Tai Fook Enterprises' suitability to operate the Queen's Wharf casino, days before its opening.
The government approved the company as a suitable casino operator in May, saying evidence did not substantiate that it had deliberately concealed its relationship with jailed "junket king" Alvin Chau.
But the company reportedly took legal action that was supported by the state government to prevent a probity report being published.
Star owns the Queen's Wharf project in a joint venture that also includes the company.
"We’re finding out this probity report will not be seen by Queenslanders,” Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie told reporters on Wednesday.
"More concerning, the government supported the court application of Chow Tai Fook Enterprises to make sure that probity report is not public.
“I am concerned...about the staff but I’m also concerned about probity, accountability and transparency."
