Supplier News
Australia – Crown in discussions to keep Melbourne competitive
By Phil - 3 January 2014
Crown Resorts is in discussions with the Victorian Government to ensure the Crown Melbourne resort remains competitive, supports Victorian jobs and positions the facility to compete strongly into the future for inbound tourists.
The discussions have focussed on a range of matters including the terms and conditions of the Crown Melbourne casino licence and a restructuring of tax arrangements.
Crown Resorts’ Chairman, James Packer, said: “Crown Melbourne is one of the world’s finest integrated resorts. It is an iconic landmark in Melbourne and one of the State’s best tourism assets. The discussions we are having with the Victorian Government are positive and when completed will hopefully position the facility for sustained long term growth and help us to compete with the ever increasing interstate and international competition.”
“Both Crown and the Victorian Government would like to see the Crown Melbourne resort continue to grow and to attract more overseas and interstate tourists. Crown Melbourne is amongst Australia’s most visited tourist attractions with around 17m visitors coming to Crown Melbourne each year. Crown will have spent $1.7bn over the ten years from 2007 to 2016 to ensure Crown Melbourne remains amongst the country’s most visited tourist attractions,” Mr Packer said.
Crown Melbourne also provides a significant impact on the employment front and is a model employer. The facility is currently the State’s largest single site employer, with more than 8,700 people working at Crown
Melbourne. This year Crown Melbourne was awarded both the Victorian and Australian Employer of the Year.
“Crown Melbourne contributes more than $2bn to the Victorian economy each year and the company takes its employment and economic contributions to the State of Victoria very seriously. We look forward to continuing discussions with the Victorian Government to create even more jobs, taxes and economic growth for the people of Victoria,” Mr Packer said.
The Victorian Government’s Budget Update that was announced today included a proposal for an electronic gaming machine levy of $22,715 per annum per gaming machine at Crown Melbourne.
The Casino Management Agreement between the Victorian Government and Crown Melbourne sets out
Crown Melbourne’s tax arrangements. Variations to this agreement require the agreement of both parties.
The Victorian Government has stated that: “The introduction of a casino electronic gaming machine levy and the associated estimates in the 2013 to 14 Budget Update are subject to the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations and mutual agreement between the Victorian Government and Crown to establish an outcome that delivers real value for both parties.”
Crown expects to conclude its discussions with the Victorian Government in early 2014.
