Western Australia will hold a Royal Commission into the suitability of Crown Perth to continue holding a casino gaming licence following the findings of the Bergin Inquiry.
The Commission will also examine the State's regulatory framework including any actual or perceived conflicts of interest by officers involved in casino regulation, and any matters that might enhance the Gaming and Wagering Commission's future capability and effectiveness.
The Commissioners will be Former Supreme Court Judge Neville Owen AO, former Supreme Court Judge Lindy Jenkins and former Auditor General for Western Australia Colin Murphy PSC.
The Honourable Neville Owen was a Supreme Court Judge from 1991 to 2010 and at the time of his retirement in 2010 was the senior judge on the Court of Appeal.
From 2001 to 2003, he headed the HIH Insurance Royal Commission examining the collapse of the insurer and was the trial judge in the Bell Group Litigation.
The Honourable Lindy Jenkins served on the Supreme Court from 2004 to 2020. She has appeared as counsel in all courts in WA, the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia, and has been chair of the Law Reform Commission since September 2020.
Colin Murphy PSC has extensive experience in finance and administration in State and Commonwealth Government roles. As the State's independent Auditor General for more than 11 years, he implemented a number of innovations in the development of standards and processes in governance and public administration.
The Royal Commission is expected to deliver an interim report in relation to the regulatory framework by June 30, 2021 and a final report with findings and recommendations by November 14, 2021.
It was recommended that a Royal Commission, rather than an inquiry, be held to provide appropriate protections are in place for the Commissioners and witnesses.
As stated by Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia:
"The Royal Commission will provide the next State Government with a thorough and independent examination of the suitability of Crown Perth to hold a casino licence following the Bergin Inquiry's findings of suspected money laundering and junkets linked to organised crime.
"The Commission will also closely examine the State's current regulatory framework, the functions of the Gaming and Wagering Commission and provide recommendations for enhancing future regulatory capabilities and effectiveness.
"The Gaming and Wagering Commission has already directed Crown to no longer hold junkets and to obtain the Commission's approval to establish gaming bank accounts to ensure the activities highlighted in the Bergin Inquiry cannot occur.
"The State's regulators have also formed working groups with their eastern state's counterparts to ensure consistence for any future regulatory reform."
