Campbell Newman slams Queensland tourism, backs new casinos

Just a week after launching a multi-million dollar advertising campaign to boost visitors to the Gold Coast's theme parks, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has critised the Queensland tourism product, including its theme parks and the Great Barrier Reef, for being "faded and jaded."

Announcing plans to offer two new casino licences for project outside Brisbane as well as a third license within a redevelopment of Queensland Government buildings in the Brisbane CBD, Premier Newman explained that the new casinos would boost the Queensland tourism industry.

Adding that Queensland could potentially be home to seven casinos including at least one Singapore-style integrated resorts, the Queensland Premier explained "there are lots (of) people wanting to build casinos ... it's time now to actually take off the shackles, think big and actually allow this state really to compete in the international marketplace."

"As I've often said, the tourism product, the infrastructure that we have in this state is from a different era, in some cases it's faded and jaded."

Premier Newman added that potential revenue from gambling taxes has not been a factor in the decision, stating "I don't think we've seen any projections on revenue - that has not been part of it.

"It's about jobs, it's about the investment dollars and it's about tourism potential for Queensland.

Premier Newman has previously been critical of Queensland casino operator Echo Entertainment, saying its Queensland gambling establishments are "not world-standard" and questioning their "licence to print money."

The Gold Coast Bulletin reported Premier Newman's criticism of Echo during a visit to the Gold Coast in August.

Premier Newman explained "the venues ... are not world-standard venues any more and they do need to be substantially redeveloped."

Echo also operates Brisbane's Treasury Casino and the Breakwater casino in Townsville while the Reef Casino in Cairns, operated by Casinos Austria and hotel operator Accor, is Queensland only casino not run by Echo.

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