The appointment of a former federal judge to chair a four-member panel to review the recommendations of the Victoria State government’s original gaming licence steering committee has not appeased opposition politicians. Labelling it a sham inquiry, the opposition’s gaming spokesman said the government would have the power to cut ‘protected information’ and that the panel’s terms of reference for the investigation would prevent it examining decisions taken by ministers.

The judicial review follows a leaked report from the Solicitor-General’s office that stated Greek company Intralot had been denied natural justice in its bid against Tattersall’s for a Victorian lottery licence. Questions have been raised over payments made by Tattersall’s to a lobbyist and possible influence with Premier Steve Bracks. The Upper House has already forced a separate inquiry into gambling licences, and could call former federal judge Ron Merkel to testify on his findings.

Intralot, the world’s second largest lottery systems supplier, has just been granted a new 10-year licence in the US to operate lotteries in Idaho, and was quick to point out that it had scored a perfect probity rating following checks by the Idaho gaming authority. In South Africa Gidani, an Intralot subsidiary awarded a similar licence to commence lottery operations in April, has seen that licence temporarily suspended when it became clear that neither it nor a rival bidder had offered sufficient information about their shareholders.

Tattersall’s was granted a one year extension of its gaming licence monopoly in Victoria last December. The Australian company has previously stated that any probity concerns highlighted by the lottery review did not relate to it. As a result of the ongoing investigations into the licensing process, the Bracks government will not now make a decision on the award of gaming licences until June 2008. (E-03.08.07)

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