The Hon Neville Owen AO, the Hon Lindy Jenkins and Mr Colin Murphy PSM, the Royal Commissioners appointed by a Commission dated 5 March 2021 to inquire into and report on the affairs of Crown Casino Perth, have authorised the following media release.
Name
For ease of reference the inquiry will be described as ‘Perth Casino Royal Commission’ (PCRC).
Initial activity
Over the past three weeks the Commissioners have been working with the State Solicitor’s Office and the Department of Premier and Cabinet to establish the infrastructure necessary to support the Commission. The Commissioners have also received great assistance from the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) in these endeavours. The following progress can be reported.
Premises
The WAIRC has made available a hearing room on 18th Floor, 111 St Georges Terrace, Perth, which will be dedicated for use by the PCRC for the duration of its term.
Office premises have been secured, over two part floors of 111 St Georges Terrace, Perth for use by the Commissioners and officers of the Commission. Some space is already available but occupancy of a portion of the necessary premises cannot occur until 1 April 2021.
IT infrastructure
Procurement of IT hardware and software is proceeding and will progress further once the premises becomes available to enable the installation of the IT facilities.
A website for the Commission is being established. The domain name ‘pcrc.wa.gov.au’ is in the course of preparation. It is anticipated that the website will be operational by 9 April 2021.
Key appointments
A Secretariat is being established to support the administrative functions of the Commission. Senior and junior counsel and solicitors assisting have been appointed. The following appointments have been made or will be made.
Secretariat
- Project Director: Ms Danielle Davies
- Deputy Project Director: Ms Kelly Martinelli
- Media and Communications Officer: Ms Val Buchanan
- Senior Project Officer: Ms Cassandra Pollock
- Associate to the Commission Chair and Research Officer: Ms Jane Erickson
- Solicitors within the Secretariat: Ms Thea Chee and Ms Karess Dias
- Executive Assistant: Ms Femke Elferink
Senior Counsel Assisting
- Ms Patricia Cahill SC (Francis Burt Chambers) and
- Mr Michael Feutrill SC (Quayside Chambers)
Junior Counsel Assisting
- Mr David Leigh and Ms Kirsten Nelson.
Other appointments will be made in the near future
Solicitors Assisting
- Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Perth.
Other appointments
The Commission intends to make further appointments in the near future, including the positions of investigators.
Inquiry processes
Work has commenced on the drafting of background papers, notices to produce and other request for information and practice directions.
The Commissioners have established a preliminary timetable. The details of the timetable is as follows:
- Prior to the Easter break, issue the first tranche of notices to produce and other requests for information
- In the week commencing 12 April 2021, hold a brief, explanatory public hearing at which the initial practice directions will be discussed. Interested parties will not be required to make submissions or presentations at his hearing.
- In the week commencing 19 April 2021, hold a further hearing at which applications for leave to appear will be considered
- In May 2021, commence hearings on the substantive issues
Media releases
Further media releases will be issued from time to time as required by the Commission.
Contact details
All media inquiries should be directed to the Media and Communications Officer. Ms Val Buchanan has been appointed as the Media and Communications Officer. Contact details for the Media and Communications Officer will be provided once the Secretariat is fully operational, which should be from 6 April 2021.
