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Crown commission extended, further funding granted
The royal commission centering around Crown Casino has been extended for a further month following a request from commissioner Raymond Finkelstein AO QC.
Emma Musgrave
The commissioner has been granted a request to extend the Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence. His report is now due on 15 October 2021, up from the original deadline of 1 August 2021.
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In addition to the extended deadline, Victoria’s acting Premier James Merlino has granted an increase in the commission’s funding from $10 million to $19.75 million.
“We established this Royal Commission to get the answers we need about Crown – and this extension will ensure the scope of evidence provided so far is able to be thoroughly considered,” Mr Merlino said.
Commissioner Finkelstein noted the seriousness of evidence uncovered in the hearings and submissions so far as being a key reason in his request for additional time and funding.
Hearings kicked off almost a month ago with the bulk of evidence given so far relating to the corporate culture of Crown Melbourne, gambling harm minimisation, and alleged claims of underpaid casino tax cited by Crown Melbourne.
“The evidence we have seen coming out of the Royal Commission to date is significant,” the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne, said.
“We’ll provide the Commissioner with the resources and time required to complete this important work as requested.”
