Western Australia’s Royal Commission has heard that John Poynton, a former Crown chairman, agreed to provide confidential information to James Packer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Australia.- The Western Australian Royal Commission into Crown Resorts has been told\u00a0that John Poynton<\/strong>, former director and chairman, had\u00a0an agreement with James Packer to provide him with confidential information<\/strong>\u00a0about Crown’s businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poyton, who\u00a0stepped down from Crown Resorts\u2019 board in March<\/a>, said the agreement was made in May 2018, when\u00a0he replaced James Packer on the board<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the inquiry,\u00a0Patricia Cahill<\/strong>, counsel assisting the Royal Commission, said Poyton provided confidential information on demand. When\u00a0she asked Poyton why he agreed to the deal<\/strong>, he answered: “I’m not sure in hindsight. What I would say is that it never happened.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to ABC, Poyton said the arrangement was Packer’s idea\u00a0<\/strong>but added Packer never demanded confidential information from him. Poyton and Packer met four times a year<\/strong>\u00a0and the average length of the meetings was about 90 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Western Australia\u2019s Royal Commission<\/a>\u00a0into Crown Perth will be extended until March 2022 to give commissioners more time to carry out investigations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It followed a similar decision for Victoria\u2019s Royal Commission<\/a>, which will continue until October 15<\/strong> after the government approved judge Raymond Finkelstein\u2019s request for an extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The WA Royal Commission was expected to deliver a final report by November 14 <\/strong>but Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said: \u201cThe state government believes that public interest will be best served if the Perth casino Royal Commission has sufficient time to produce its final report.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul Evans, GWC\u2019s lawyer said the gaming regulator may call on Racing and Gaming Minister Reece Whitby to cancel Crown\u2019s licence before the end of the inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to ABC, Evans said: \u201cThe GWC will not necessarily await these conclusions <\/strong>if matters disclosed give rise to a need to take action immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The WA Royal Commission is also investigating Crown Perth\u2019s link with the arrest of 19 Crown employees in China<\/strong> in 2016, Crown\u2019s changes following the Bergin inquiry<\/a> and how the casino operator handled problem gambling.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGWC could cancel Crown Perth\u2019s casino licence before the end of the Royal Commission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n