Steven Miles’ proposed bail out of Star Casino is a brutal kick in the face to Queensland households and businesses which continue to struggle under Labor’s cost of living crisis.
One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson said while small Queensland businesses continued to be slugged with high rates of payroll tax with no option to defer, Premier Miles should not be considering any taxpayer assisitance to Star Casino.

“Why on earth should Queensland businesses and households pay huge amounts of money to bail out a casino for mismanaging its business?” Senator Hanson said.

“Does Steven Miles have any empathy for people and businesses doing it tough? How could anyone who cared about Queensland’s struggle with the cost of living possibly propose this disgusting idea with a straight face?

“Queensland owes Star Casino absolutely nothing. It’s not even a Queensland business – it’s run from New South Wales, where Premier Chris Minns has sensibly refused to spend taxpayers’ money to help them.

“Small hospitality businesses forced to compete with the glittering new casino development in Brisbane will get no assistance from Steven Miles. They can’t defer payroll tax. They have no idea if they will survive the cost-of-living crisis which has seen their revenues fall sharply.

“Apart from the transparent attempt to buy votes with taxpayer-funded energy rebates which don’t address the cause of rising energy costs, Queensland households will get no assistance from Steven Miles either. They can’t defer things like car registration or school fees. They have no idea if they can survive more inflation or interest rate rises.
“Surely this money could be better spent on fixing the disaster that is the Bruce Highway, or addressing out-of-control crime, or getting more resources into our struggling regional health services – anything but bailing out a multi-billion dollar gambling business just as we’re about to go into caretaker mode.

“This deal stinks to high heaven. It must be immediately ruled out by Labor and the LNP, as must any stupid idea about purchasing equity in the business. One Nation will not support one cent of Queensland taxpayers’ money being abused to bail out Star Casino for its own failures and shortcomings.”

ENDS