00:00Analysts say that the casino giant needs a financial lifeline after revealing its cash
00:08reserves have gone down to 79 million at the end of 2024.
00:12So we know here in Queensland that Star runs operations in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast
00:19across the country.
00:20They have about 8,000 staff and we know that about 3,000 staff work here in the new development,
00:25the Queens Wharf development here in Brisbane.
00:28So it is essentially a waiting game seeing what happens with Star, but there has been
00:33concerns raised by the union.
00:35The United Workers Union says that there is uncertainty and frustration from staff as
00:41to what is going to be the future of their jobs.
00:45And we have also heard from the state government that they're looking to do what they can and
00:50essentially ensure that there's certainty and continuity for those staff members.
00:56But at this stage, we're just waiting to see what happens.
00:59It was a $3.6 billion precinct that opened here in Brisbane City, the Queens Wharf development
01:06in August last year.
01:08It has a massive gaming floor, a new casino, a sky deck, restaurants, pubs, and it was
01:13really touted as the crown jewel for Star.
01:18And they were really hoping to see a surge of patronage to that venue.
01:23So it has been a little bit of a shock here in Brisbane to see that there is now a cloud
01:28over its future and what will happen to the thousands of staff that it employs.
01:33And what's the state premier had to say about it all, Rachel?
01:37Well David Christopher Lee has spoken in the past few days.
01:39He says that his priority is for the workers.
01:42It's not for the staff members.
01:45But what he did say today, he was pressed for a little bit more detail.
01:50What could the support be for those workers?
01:53This is what he had to say at a press conference this morning.
01:56The Queensland Government's priority is the workers, not the corporate suits, not the
02:02people who sit around the board table of Star.
02:05My focus is on the workers who sit around the gaming table.
02:09And they need to know that our focus is to make sure there is continuity of service,
02:14whoever owns it, in whatever format.
02:18So David Christopher Lee there, the premier.
02:20He was pressed about what that could mean.
02:22Would it include maybe some tax concessions or payroll deferrals for the company?
02:28How would that support look?
02:29But he just reiterated that his focus was on staff.
02:33So we believe the Government is waiting to see what happens with Star.
02:38And we might find out in the coming weeks what happens with their financial position.
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