Opposition Rebecca White has released correspondence between herself and Federal Group chief executive Greg Farrell in an attempt to quell casino workers’ fears that their jobs are at-risk due to the party’s gaming policy.
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Federal Group and the hospitality industry have launched open warfare on the party for their policy to remove poker machines from pubs and clubs, and confine them within the state’s casinos, from 2023.
Ms White and Mr Farrell exchanged letters last month, in which Federal’s boss asked for assurances that Labor would commit to extending the operating licences for the Wrest Point and Country Club casinos beyond 2023, review taxation and licence fees, and allow the business to retain the state’s Keno licence.
Ms White said Federal’s casino licence and Keno licence would be retained post-2023 if Labor won government.
She said Treasury would advise the party on taxation arrangements, as well as the value and duration of the licences.
Ms White asked Mr Farrell to distribute the correspondence between the two to Wrest Point and Country Club staff so they were informed their jobs weren’t at risk.
"I want to work constructively to ensure that Federal Group continues to provide jobs and opportunities for Tasmanians," she wrote.
On taxation and licence fees, Mr Farrell responded that a failure by Ms White to outline the context and parameters of a review was "disappointing."
"Until we receive a response regarding that context and parameters, Federal Group does not have any certainty about the viability of Wrest Point and the Country Club beyond 2023 under a Labor Government," he said.
After releasing the letters on Friday, Ms White said:
“Labor is not prepared to fetter the independence of Treasury by setting parameters for that advice.”