- Royal Commission into Crown Perth has been confirmed
- Interim reported expected by mid-2021
- Director John Poynton resigned earlier this week from all companies within Crown
Several weeks ago the Gaming and Wagering Commission of WA (GWC) announced it recommended an independent inquiry into the licence for Crown Perth.
Today this has been confirmed, with three commissioners – former WA supreme Court judges Lindy Jenkins and Neville Owen, and former WA auditor-general Colin Murphy set to run the royal commission.
Initially, it was set to be an inquiry that would have the same powers of a royal commission – a step above what the GWC normally has.
However, since this, it has been officially upgraded to a royal commission.
An interim report is expected by June with the final report expected to be tabled by November.
WA Premier Mark McGowan added during a press conference earlier this week that he hopes Crown continues to operate whilst maintaining high standards, acknowledging the casino employs 5,500 individuals and is a popular pastime for many Western Australians.
In other Crown-esque news, John Poynton – a WA-based director who has been on the board since late 2018 – resigned from the board with immediate effect earlier this week.
Most notably he was the Chairman of Crown Perth itself.
His resignation comes after the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority advised Crown that Mr Poynton’s resignation as a director of all companies with the Crown group would be ‘appropriate’ especially given his past relationship with James Packer and Consolidated Press Holdings (CPH).
“As a result, John has agreed to resign in the best interests of Crown and our shareholders, despite no adverse findings by the Commissioner in the ILGA Inquiry in relation to his suitability, integrity or performance,” said Helen Connan, Crown’s Chief Executive Chairman.
“On behalf of the Board, I thank John for his contribution to Crown over many years.”
