MELBOURNE, AAP – A royal commission into Crown casino’s operations in Victoria is set to begin.
The inquiry, to be chaired by former Federal Court judge Raymond Finkelstein QC, will hold an opening hearing on Wednesday at 10am.
It is expected to run for an hour and will be live-streamed.
The inquiry will look at whether Crown has broken the law and if it is suitable to hold a gaming licence in Victoria.
It follows a judicial inquiry in NSW, which in February found Crown was unfit to run a casino at its newly built Barangaroo complex in Sydney.
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Headed by former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin, that inquiry found the company facilitated money laundering at its Melbourne and Perth casinos.
Additionally, it found Crown put its staff in China in danger of being detained and dealt with junket operators it knew were involved in organised crime.
The West Australian government has announced its own inquiry into the allegations.
Lawyers Adrian Finanzio SC, Penny Neskovcin QC, Meg O’Sullivan and Geoffrey Kozminsky have been appointed counsel assisting for the Victorian inquiry, which is expected to cost up to $7 million.
Mr Finkelstein will have until August 1 to report back to the government with recommendations.
Premier Daniel Andrews has indicated he is prepared to tear up Crown’s casino licence if it is recommended.
