New Packer casino a step closer: reports

There are suggestions that James Packer's plans for a luxury casino at Barangaroo in Sydney are a step closer to reality.

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting the casino mogul's proposal may have cleared its first hurdle with the New South Wales Government.

It has been reported that Premier Barry O'Farrell will consider the proposed casino and hotel complex under the Liberal government's new policy for dealing with big infrastructure projects from the private sector.

The Office of the Premier has refused to comment on the reports, which if accurate, would see state cabinet consider the $1 billion proposal.

But the Greens MP, John Kaye, has already responded, saying his party will oppose the plan outright.

"So far all we've seen is a secret deal between Barry O'Farrell and Jamie Packer," he said.

"Sydney does not need a second casino and we certainly don't need a secretive process for getting there.

"The Premier should begin a public debate about whether the people of Sydney want yet more high-roller gambling opportunities to attract more problem gamblers."

Labor's planning spokesman, Luke Foley, is more receptive to the plan.

"Any proposal for a six star hotel from Crown or any other company ought to be considered on its merits," he said.

But Mr Foley warned the opposition would not tolerate a second casino before 2019, or any additional poker machines.

"No intrusion on public land at Barangaroo, the state's policy of only one casino licence this side of 2019 remains in place and there ought be no poker machines at any Crown hotel," he said.

"There's more than enough poker machines in this town already."

Source: ABC News, 19 October 2012