Brumby says talks with Crown boss James Packer were private, by Michael Warner and Geraldine Mitchell - Herald Sun - 14th May 2009

Premier John Brumby has admitted he held private talks with Crown casino boss James Packer before his government caved in and granted it more tables.

But Mr Brumby yesterday refused to detail the discussions, claiming the talks were private, not public.

The casino has been granted another 150 gaming tables - announced while all eyes were on Tuesday's federal Budget.

The talks between the Premier and the billionaire took place in the taxpayer-funded Victoria Suite at the Grand Prix six weeks ago.

"Well, I spoke to James Packer at the Grand Prix, but there were lots of people at the Grand Prix," Mr Brumby said yesterday.

"There was no secret . . . I had a broad discussion about the world with him, and beyond that I wouldn't go into any private details of any discussion. You wouldn't expect me to."

Just hours before Tuesday's federal Budget, Mr Brumby announced a boost to Crown's lucrative blackjack, roulette and poker tables. Casino critic the Rev Tim Costello said it was the latest in a long line of questionable dealings between Crown and Labor since it took power in 1999.

"Steve Bracks met James Packer less than two weeks after winning that election. Ever since then, they seem to have given Crown almost everything they wanted," Mr Costello said.

"This is yet another secret and insidious deal that didn't even go through the Minister's (Tony Robinson) gaming advisory panel."

But Mr Brumby denied he tried to hide the deal.

"I know that you'll form your own views about this and the timing, (but) the fact of the matter is, as soon as the agreement was concluded we announced it," he said.

Liberal gaming spokesman Michael O'Brien said the extra casino revenue was included in last week's state Budget.

"So for Labor to claim that it could not tell the public about the deal until it was signed -- on federal Budget day, no less -- is dishonest."

Mr Brumby hesitated when asked if the Crown move was considered by Cabinet, saying only that it was determined by a commercial negotiator.

"The Government has strong views about gaming machines . . . and it's gaming machines and in gaming venues that problem gambling mainly exists," he said.

Gamblers lose more than $1 billion a year at Crown.

A spokesman for the Premier told the Herald Sun: "They definitely did not discuss (it) at the GP." (Credit: Herald Sun)

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