The Victorian Greens have again raised doubts over the efficacy and integrity of the VCGLR’s ongoing Crown investigation following reports that the gambling watchdog has been referred to IBAC.
Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Sam Hibbins MP, said the allegations levelled at the VCGLR cast the organisation’s Crown investigation into doubt.
The Government must assure Victorians that the VCGLR are capable of looking into the scandals surrounding Crown. If they can’t, they must urgently establish a separate investigation or judicial inquiry to ensure there’s no stall in the process.
This isn’t the first time the VCGLR has come into question. In 2017, the Victorian Greens moved a motion calling for an inquiry into the effectiveness of the VCGLR to carry out its functions.
And in August this year the Victorian Greens called for the launch of a judicial inquiry into the role current and former State Government MPs and staffers have played in the Crown crisis.
As stated by Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Sam Hibbins:
“You can’t expect Victorians to trust the VCGLR to investigate Crown Casino following claims it has a culture of corruption.
“If the VCGLR can’t properly scrutinise the integrity of the AFL, how can it be expected to scrutinise the integrity of Crown Casino?
“We first began highlighting our own concerns with the VCGLR over 18 months ago, so it’s deeply disturbing to see its recent referral to IBAC.
“We need assurance that Crown is being investigated thoroughly, because these further claims being levelled at the VCGLR have cast a shadow over the current investigation.
“If the State Government can’t assure Victorians that the investigation will be carried out effectively then it needs to urgently establish a judicial inquiry.”
