SkyCity Adelaide independent review deadline extended to May

Brian Martin AO KC was originally expected to report his findings to the Acting Commissioner by December 31, 2024.

Australia.- SkyCity Entertainment Group has reported through a company filing that Brian Martin AO KC’s independent review into the suitability of SkyCity Adelaide is now expected to be completed by the end of May. The extension was approved by the Acting South Australian Liquor and Gambling Commissioner, in agreement with Martin. The review’s completion was originally slated for December 31, 2024.

The company said: “As previously flagged to the market on October 31, 2024, it is possible that Mr Martin’s findings may be unfavourable. However, prior to any final report being provided by Mr Martin, it is not possible to determine the outcome of the independent review and what regulatory action, if any, might be applied to SkyCity Adelaide and SkyCity.”

The review was initially commissioned in July 2022 by the former commissioner to assess the suitability of SkyCity Adelaide to hold its casino licence and to evaluate SkyCity’s status as a close associate. However, the review was put on hold in February 2023 due to civil penalty proceedings initiated by AUSTRAC against SkyCity Adelaide. However, on June 7, 2024, the Federal Court of Australia approved a AU$67m settlement agreement between SkyCity Adelaide and AUSTRAC.

SkyCity appoints Elaine Campbell as chief legal, governance and external relations officer

SkyCity Entertainment announced that Elaine Campbell has been appointed to the newly created role of chief legal, governance and external relations officer effective from March. The appointment is subject to regulatory approvals.

Campbell is a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and earned her Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Canterbury. She has previously worked as executive general manager, access of Chorus Limited, a company listed on the NZX. She previously held positions of general counsel at AMP Limited, director of compliance and head of compliance monitoring at the New Zealand Financial Markets Authority, executive counsel at the New Zealand Markets Disciplinary Tribunal, and head of market supervision and general counsel at NZX Limited. She is an independent director at NZX and serves the board-appointed director of NZ RegCo Limited.

SkyCity chief executive officer Jason Walbridge commented: “Elaine is a highly respected executive with a proven track record. I’m delighted she is joining the SkyCity team.”

The casino operator said Nirupa George, currently chief corporate affairs officer, will no longer meet the definition of a senior manager for the purposes of the NZX Listing Rules from March but will continue to be responsible for leading the company’s corporate affairs, including government, community and industry stakeholder relations and SkyCity’s public policy and advocacy. George is scheduled to take parental leave from January.