In an attempt to keep jobs and maintain movement in the economy, the Queensland government in Australia is planning cuts in spending and an increase in taxation. The four casinos in the state are expected to start paying more of their revenue to the state when the historically low gaming tax disappears next July. Queensland, like local governments across the world, is facing an ever deepening budget deficit.

Tomorrow the Queensland Treasurer will deliver a mini-Budget but the government has confirmed already that the big policy task for 2009 will be fighting unemployment and that it will increase spending to help those who lose their jobs, doubling funding for retraining programmes. The increase in taxation on the four casinos should provide the state with an additional A$36 million a year.

The 10% gaming tax paid by Cairns’ Reef Casino and Townsville’s Jupiters Casino will be increased to 20%. The tax on metered wins at Brisbane’s Treasury Casino and Gold Coast’s Jupiters Casino will rise from 20% to 30%. The Treasury and two Jupiters casinos are owned by Australian gaming company Tabcorp. The Reef hotel casino complex is operated by Casinos Austria International and Accor. (E-12.08.08)

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