❓ Opposition questions the government about concessions given to Burswood Casino regarding gaming machines and taxes, specifically if a guarantee to retain the Burswood Dome was part of the deal. The government defends the decision based on employment, competition, and existing agreements.
AnsweredQoN 190Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Acting Premier to the Government’s announcement this week of a deal that would see the Burswood International Resort Casino gain an extra 200 gaming machines and the gaming taxes on international high rollers lowered, which has resulted in the share price of the company surging and ask - (1) As part of that deal did the Government receive any written or verbal guarantee from Burswood that it would retain the Burswood Dome rather than demolish it? (2) If not, on what basis did the Government offer such large concessions to Burswood, which have directly resulted in the value of the company increasing considerably - at one stage by up to $28 million? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1) The Government made a decision on the negotiations with Burswood after taking into account a package of issues, as I outlined yesterday. As I said, it considered the employment of a significant number of people at Burswood, the competitive environment in which the casino operates and where competition has intensified since the original agreement was signed. (2) Unless the Government grants approval for any redevelopment, Burswood’s requirement to maintain and operate the Burswood Dome remains unchanged from the original agreement. The Government welcomes Burswood’s agreement and support for the Hopman Cup. However, a trade-off was not made. We talked to the Burswood people about the tax issues. The Government has a right under the agreement to increase taxation rates over the years. On the other hand, Burswood is in a very competitive environment and has suffered a loss of international business as a result of increased competition. Some consideration was needed of how to respond to that competition for international commission business. The position on the Burswood Dome is unchanged from the 1985 agreement.
(1) As part of that deal did the Government receive any written or verbal guarantee from Burswood that it would retain the Burswood Dome rather than demolish it? (2) If not, on what basis did the Government offer such large concessions to Burswood, which have directly resulted in the value of the company increasing considerably - at one stage by up to $28 million? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1) The Government made a decision on the negotiations with Burswood after taking into account a package of issues, as I outlined yesterday. As I said, it considered the employment of a significant number of people at Burswood, the competitive environment in which the casino operates and where competition has intensified since the original agreement was signed. (2) Unless the Government grants approval for any redevelopment, Burswood’s requirement to maintain and operate the Burswood Dome remains unchanged from the original agreement. The Government welcomes Burswood’s agreement and support for the Hopman Cup. However, a trade-off was not made. We talked to the Burswood people about the tax issues. The Government has a right under the agreement to increase taxation rates over the years. On the other hand, Burswood is in a very competitive environment and has suffered a loss of international business as a result of increased competition. Some consideration was needed of how to respond to that competition for international commission business. The position on the Burswood Dome is unchanged from the 1985 agreement.
(2) If not, on what basis did the Government offer such large concessions to Burswood, which have directly resulted in the value of the company increasing considerably - at one stage by up to $28 million? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1) The Government made a decision on the negotiations with Burswood after taking into account a package of issues, as I outlined yesterday. As I said, it considered the employment of a significant number of people at Burswood, the competitive environment in which the casino operates and where competition has intensified since the original agreement was signed. (2) Unless the Government grants approval for any redevelopment, Burswood’s requirement to maintain and operate the Burswood Dome remains unchanged from the original agreement. The Government welcomes Burswood’s agreement and support for the Hopman Cup. However, a trade-off was not made. We talked to the Burswood people about the tax issues. The Government has a right under the agreement to increase taxation rates over the years. On the other hand, Burswood is in a very competitive environment and has suffered a loss of international business as a result of increased competition. Some consideration was needed of how to respond to that competition for international commission business. The position on the Burswood Dome is unchanged from the 1985 agreement.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1) The Government made a decision on the negotiations with Burswood after taking into account a package of issues, as I outlined yesterday. As I said, it considered the employment of a significant number of people at Burswood, the competitive environment in which the casino operates and where competition has intensified since the original agreement was signed. (2) Unless the Government grants approval for any redevelopment, Burswood’s requirement to maintain and operate the Burswood Dome remains unchanged from the original agreement. The Government welcomes Burswood’s agreement and support for the Hopman Cup. However, a trade-off was not made. We talked to the Burswood people about the tax issues. The Government has a right under the agreement to increase taxation rates over the years. On the other hand, Burswood is in a very competitive environment and has suffered a loss of international business as a result of increased competition. Some consideration was needed of how to respond to that competition for international commission business. The position on the Burswood Dome is unchanged from the 1985 agreement.
(1) The Government made a decision on the negotiations with Burswood after taking into account a package of issues, as I outlined yesterday. As I said, it considered the employment of a significant number of people at Burswood, the competitive environment in which the casino operates and where competition has intensified since the original agreement was signed. (2) Unless the Government grants approval for any redevelopment, Burswood’s requirement to maintain and operate the Burswood Dome remains unchanged from the original agreement. The Government welcomes Burswood’s agreement and support for the Hopman Cup. However, a trade-off was not made. We talked to the Burswood people about the tax issues. The Government has a right under the agreement to increase taxation rates over the years. On the other hand, Burswood is in a very competitive environment and has suffered a loss of international business as a result of increased competition. Some consideration was needed of how to respond to that competition for international commission business. The position on the Burswood Dome is unchanged from the 1985 agreement.
(2) Unless the Government grants approval for any redevelopment, Burswood’s requirement to maintain and operate the Burswood Dome remains unchanged from the original agreement. The Government welcomes Burswood’s agreement and support for the Hopman Cup. However, a trade-off was not made. We talked to the Burswood people about the tax issues. The Government has a right under the agreement to increase taxation rates over the years. On the other hand, Burswood is in a very competitive environment and has suffered a loss of international business as a result of increased competition. Some consideration was needed of how to respond to that competition for international commission business. The position on the Burswood Dome is unchanged from the 1985 agreement.
(1) As part of that deal did the Government receive any written or verbal guarantee from Burswood that it would retain the Burswood Dome rather than demolish it? (2) If not, on what basis did the Government offer such large concessions to Burswood, which have directly resulted in the value of the company increasing considerably - at one stage by up to $28 million? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1) The Government made a decision on the negotiations with Burswood after taking into account a package of issues, as I outlined yesterday. As I said, it considered the employment of a significant number of people at Burswood, the competitive environment in which the casino operates and where competition has intensified since the original agreement was signed. (2) Unless the Government grants approval for any redevelopment, Burswood’s requirement to maintain and operate the Burswood Dome remains unchanged from the original agreement. The Government welcomes Burswood’s agreement and support for the Hopman Cup. However, a trade-off was not made. We talked to the Burswood people about the tax issues. The Government has a right under the agreement to increase taxation rates over the years. On the other hand, Burswood is in a very competitive environment and has suffered a loss of international business as a result of increased competition. Some consideration was needed of how to respond to that competition for international commission business. The position on the Burswood Dome is unchanged from the 1985 agreement.
(2) If not, on what basis did the Government offer such large concessions to Burswood, which have directly resulted in the value of the company increasing considerably - at one stage by up to $28 million? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1) The Government made a decision on the negotiations with Burswood after taking into account a package of issues, as I outlined yesterday. As I said, it considered the employment of a significant number of people at Burswood, the competitive environment in which the casino operates and where competition has intensified since the original agreement was signed. (2) Unless the Government grants approval for any redevelopment, Burswood’s requirement to maintain and operate the Burswood Dome remains unchanged from the original agreement. The Government welcomes Burswood’s agreement and support for the Hopman Cup. However, a trade-off was not made. We talked to the Burswood people about the tax issues. The Government has a right under the agreement to increase taxation rates over the years. On the other hand, Burswood is in a very competitive environment and has suffered a loss of international business as a result of increased competition. Some consideration was needed of how to respond to that competition for international commission business. The position on the Burswood Dome is unchanged from the 1985 agreement.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1) The Government made a decision on the negotiations with Burswood after taking into account a package of issues, as I outlined yesterday. As I said, it considered the employment of a significant number of people at Burswood, the competitive environment in which the casino operates and where competition has intensified since the original agreement was signed. (2) Unless the Government grants approval for any redevelopment, Burswood’s requirement to maintain and operate the Burswood Dome remains unchanged from the original agreement. The Government welcomes Burswood’s agreement and support for the Hopman Cup. However, a trade-off was not made. We talked to the Burswood people about the tax issues. The Government has a right under the agreement to increase taxation rates over the years. On the other hand, Burswood is in a very competitive environment and has suffered a loss of international business as a result of increased competition. Some consideration was needed of how to respond to that competition for international commission business. The position on the Burswood Dome is unchanged from the 1985 agreement.
(1) The Government made a decision on the negotiations with Burswood after taking into account a package of issues, as I outlined yesterday. As I said, it considered the employment of a significant number of people at Burswood, the competitive environment in which the casino operates and where competition has intensified since the original agreement was signed. (2) Unless the Government grants approval for any redevelopment, Burswood’s requirement to maintain and operate the Burswood Dome remains unchanged from the original agreement. The Government welcomes Burswood’s agreement and support for the Hopman Cup. However, a trade-off was not made. We talked to the Burswood people about the tax issues. The Government has a right under the agreement to increase taxation rates over the years. On the other hand, Burswood is in a very competitive environment and has suffered a loss of international business as a result of increased competition. Some consideration was needed of how to respond to that competition for international commission business. The position on the Burswood Dome is unchanged from the 1985 agreement.
(2) Unless the Government grants approval for any redevelopment, Burswood’s requirement to maintain and operate the Burswood Dome remains unchanged from the original agreement. The Government welcomes Burswood’s agreement and support for the Hopman Cup. However, a trade-off was not made. We talked to the Burswood people about the tax issues. The Government has a right under the agreement to increase taxation rates over the years. On the other hand, Burswood is in a very competitive environment and has suffered a loss of international business as a result of increased competition. Some consideration was needed of how to respond to that competition for international commission business. The position on the Burswood Dome is unchanged from the 1985 agreement.
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