❓ A parliamentary question probes the appropriateness of the Director General's Macau trip funded by private enterprise, specifically Crown Perth, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and adherence to departmental guidelines. The Minister defends the trip as beneficial for industry knowledge and regulator effectiveness.
AnsweredQoN 591Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DIRECTOR
GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF RACING, GAMING AND LIQUOR — MACAU TRIP
591. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the Minister for
Racing and Gaming:
I refer to the director general of
the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor's trip to Macau last year
that was paid for by private enterprise.
(1) What was the
total cost of the trip?
(2) Why was the
trip not funded out of the department's budget, given the minister's
approval and support of the trip and its appropriateness?
(3) What are the
Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor's guidelines in relation to
accepting gifts and hospitality?
(4) Has the
director general adhered to these departmental guidelines when accepting a free
trip from Crown Perth casino?
GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF RACING, GAMING AND LIQUOR — MACAU TRIP
591. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the Minister for
Racing and Gaming:
I refer to the director general of
the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor's trip to Macau last year
that was paid for by private enterprise.
(1) What was the
total cost of the trip?
(2) Why was the
trip not funded out of the department's budget, given the minister's
approval and support of the trip and its appropriateness?
(3) What are the
Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor's guidelines in relation to
accepting gifts and hospitality?
(4) Has the
director general adhered to these departmental guidelines when accepting a free
trip from Crown Perth casino?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4) I
thank the member for his question. First of all, I will have to get back to the
member on the cost of the trip; I do not have that with me at the moment, but I
will get that for the member.
Crown Perth is a significant
contributor to tourism in Western Australia market, and the VIP market, as I
think the member well knows, plays a really important part. The international
casino business is a really big part of that market. We are under increased
significant pressures from Singapore and, in particular, Macau, which is eight
times bigger than Las Vegas. It has a big effect on the industry here. Mr
Sargeant travelled as chair of the Gaming and Wagering Commission and in his
role as the regulator of gambling in Western Australia. It is completely
appropriate for him to be better informed on challenges that meet that market
on which he has to make rulings from time to time. He manages conflict,
perceived or otherwise —
Mr
R.H. Cook interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : He does, and in accordance with government guidelines. I want
to point out that in approving this trip, it is common practice on the part of
Australian casino regulators to require casino operators to meet the costs of
casino-related regulatory activities that fall outside the normal day-to-day
processes.
Several members interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : Just let me finish.
To meet the expenses of the Gaming
and Wagering Commission for such purposes is a process that has been regularly
undertaken since the casino has been in operation here. Mr Sargeant is the
chair of the Gaming and Wagering Commission. For instance, the former minister
Hon Nick Griffiths authorised a similar trip to the United States that was paid
for in the same way. Another thing that I think that should be acknowledged is
that when I give approval for any trips et cetera, I always look at them
closely and I judge them on a case-by-case basis. In this case, I thought it
was in the best interests of the state. It is a big industry that brings income
to this state. I also took into account the impeccable history and integrity of
Mr Sargeant, with whom a number of ministers have worked over the years. I have
no doubt of his integrity and his history, and that is why I approved the trip.
thank the member for his question. First of all, I will have to get back to the
member on the cost of the trip; I do not have that with me at the moment, but I
will get that for the member.
Crown Perth is a significant
contributor to tourism in Western Australia market, and the VIP market, as I
think the member well knows, plays a really important part. The international
casino business is a really big part of that market. We are under increased
significant pressures from Singapore and, in particular, Macau, which is eight
times bigger than Las Vegas. It has a big effect on the industry here. Mr
Sargeant travelled as chair of the Gaming and Wagering Commission and in his
role as the regulator of gambling in Western Australia. It is completely
appropriate for him to be better informed on challenges that meet that market
on which he has to make rulings from time to time. He manages conflict,
perceived or otherwise —
Mr
R.H. Cook interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : He does, and in accordance with government guidelines. I want
to point out that in approving this trip, it is common practice on the part of
Australian casino regulators to require casino operators to meet the costs of
casino-related regulatory activities that fall outside the normal day-to-day
processes.
Several members interjected.
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : Just let me finish.
To meet the expenses of the Gaming
and Wagering Commission for such purposes is a process that has been regularly
undertaken since the casino has been in operation here. Mr Sargeant is the
chair of the Gaming and Wagering Commission. For instance, the former minister
Hon Nick Griffiths authorised a similar trip to the United States that was paid
for in the same way. Another thing that I think that should be acknowledged is
that when I give approval for any trips et cetera, I always look at them
closely and I judge them on a case-by-case basis. In this case, I thought it
was in the best interests of the state. It is a big industry that brings income
to this state. I also took into account the impeccable history and integrity of
Mr Sargeant, with whom a number of ministers have worked over the years. I have
no doubt of his integrity and his history, and that is why I approved the trip.
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