Two of Mr Packer’s board nominees,Michael Johnston and Guy Jalland,resigned on Wednesday while a third,John Poynton, will no longer represent him,which his private company Consolidated Press Holdings said gave Crown “clear air” to work on its reform agenda.
Former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin found in her report that Mr Packer’s influence has had “disastrous consequences for the company”.
NSW Independent Liquor&Gaming Authority chair Philip Crawford toldThe Sydney Morning Herald andThe Age on Friday that while the resignations were a good start,he was concerned that Mr Packer still wields significant power through his 37 per cent shareholding.
“They can use their voting rights to change the board or influence the board so that would be a concern given the findings,” he said in an interview.
“We are looking at that very issue because quite a lot of the report is covering those issues and it remains of concern to us. I’m not ruling out any action at the moment.”
Commissioner Bergin recommended ILGA consider Mr Packer’s suitability to be involved in Crown Sydney,and also look at new rules that would require anyone owning more than 10 per cent of a casino to obtain a probity approval from ILGA.
Allowing Mr Packer to keep his shares but restricting his voting rights could also be on the table,which has precedent in the Australian gaming industry. Pokies billionaireLen Ainsworth gave up his voting rights in his gaming machine manufacturer Aristocrat in 1997 after the Nevada gambling regulator raised concerns about his probity.