Steve McCann to replace Xavier Walsh as Crown Melbourne CEO

Steve McCann, who was appointed as the new CEO and managing director of Crown Resorts in June, will replace Xavier Walsh as Crown Melbourne’s CEO.

Australia.- Crown Resorts has named Steve McCann as chief executive officer of Crown Melbourne in addition to his role as CEO of Crown Resorts.

According to the press release, McCann will relocate from Sydney to Melbourne as soon as possible subject to Covid-19 interstate travel restrictions.  He will replace Xavier Walsh, who stepped down due to heavy criticism during Victoria’s Royal Commission into Crown Resorts.

Adrian Finanzio, counsel assisting Victoria’s Royal Commission into Crown Resorts, said Walsh was not appropriate to remain connected to the Crown Resorts.

In July, Walsh admitted Crown Melbourne had underpaid its casino tax for seven years. He said he had learned about the possibility in 2018 but only started investigating when Victoria’s Royal Commission into the casino operator was announced.

Asked by former Federal Court judge Raymond Finkelstein, who’s leading the inquiry, why he did nothing for almost three years, Walsh said he “took comfort” from knowing senior Crown staff were aware of the issue.

Finanzio said: “Walsh partially disclosed the existence of the issues to other directors, downplayed the significance of the issue to Crown’s lawyers, and never followed up the matter in any meaningful way.”

Helen Coonan will also resign from her role by the end of the month. She assumed the role on an interim basis after Ken Barton stepped down following the ILGA’s inquiry into Crown’s fitness to keep its licence for its Crown Sydney property.

Victoria’s Royal Commission into Crown Resorts will continue up to October 15 after the government approved judge Raymond Finkelstein’s request for an extension.