Crown’s secret consultancy take care of ALP powerbroker Stephen Conroy
James Packer’s troubled casino group Crown Resorts has secretly hired power broker Victorian Labor and former Federal Senator Stephen Conroy as advisors amid growing doubts about the future of their Melbourne casino license.
The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald may reveal that Crown has hired Mr. Conroy’s TP Public company to advise them on dealing with the aftermath of the Victorian Royal Commission. The strictly confidential agreement between Crown and TG Public contains a strict nondisclosure agreement. Mr. Conroy declined to comment when contacted by this legal notice.
Former ALP Senator Stephen Conroy.
Recognition:Andrew Meares
The royal commission has uncovered a number of harmful revelations about Crown, including widespread violations of responsible gambling laws and underpayment of up to $ 480 million in state taxes.
Royal Commission advisor Adrian Finanzio, SC, said this week that Crown was unable to own a casino license and recommended that it be revoked. He also said CEO Helen Coonan and Crown Melbourne chief Xavier Walsh should not be associated with the company.
Crown has worked desperately with the Andrews government to allow them to retain the license to their Melbourne casino, which contributes about 70 percent of its revenues.
The company wrote to the Victorian government a week before the royal commission’s evidence was closed, warning that revoking its license could cause it to default on its debts. The letter was described by QC Commissioner Ray Finkelstein as saying that it could “avoid a certain outcome that might hit the commission”.
Mr. Conroy is considered one of the most powerful figures in the Victorian Labor Party. Since leaving public office, the former federal communications minister and parliamentary group leader has worked as a lobbyist for the gaming industry and as a commentator for Sky News Australia.
A Crown executive told The Age and Herald that they were unsure of what Mr. Conroy’s advisory role entailed, but did not rule out that one of his duties would be to find new directors to the board that would get government approval from Andrews.
This contradicted another Crown insider source who said that Mr. Conroy’s contract did not include finding new directors and that it was “above his salary”.
