15th Oct 2019, 4:18 PM – Representatives Motions - Casinos - Suspend the usual rules

A large majority voted against the motion introduced by MP for Clark Andrew Wilkie (Independent), which means it failed. This motion was to suspend the usual parliamentary rules (known as standing orders) so that another vote could take place.

Motion text

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Clark from moving the following motion immediately—

That the House of Representatives calls on the Australian Government to establish a Royal Commission to inquire into and report on the Australian casino industry, with particular reference to:

(1) allegations of Crown Casino's links to organised domestic and foreign crime, money laundering, tampering with poker machines, domestic violence and drug trafficking, including but not limited to:

(a) the allegations concerning Crown, raised by the Member for Denison in the House of Representatives on 18 October 2017;

(b) the Member for Clark's referral of the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, and Victoria Police, to the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission on 24 July 2019;

(c) reports by Nine newspapers and 60 Minutes in July 2019 concerning alleged criminal activity involving Crown;

(d) the Member for Clark's referral of the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation to the Victorian Ombudsman on 13 August 2019;

(e) the Member for Clark's referral of Crown Perth to the Premier of Western Australia on 19 September 2019;

(f) the allegations of criminal activity provided by a driver formerly associated with Crown revealed by the Member for Clark in the House of Representatives on 30 July 2019, and again during a media event yesterday, including the failure to process inbound and outbound flights and passengers;

(g) the evidence of money laundering at Crown revealed by the ABC and the Member for Clark today;

(h) the response to these allegations, including the possibility of criminality, by relevant state and federal agencies including but not limited to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police, Border Force and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre;

(i) the conduct of people associated directly with Crown, including the possibility of criminality and corruption; and

(j) the conduct of serving and former politicians and party officials especially relevant to Crown, including the possibility of criminality or corruption.

(2) the performance of relevant federal agencies regarding the operation of Australian casinos generally including but not limited to the Australian Federal Police, Border Force and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre.

(3) the conduct of Australian casino owners, board members and staff generally;

(4) the conduct of serving and former politicians and party officials regarding Australian casinos generally; and

(5) any related matters.