newman: let's get aquis on the move for cairns, page-2

Aquis threaten to split over licence split

The Hong Kong billionaire behind a massive resort proposal in far north Queensland has indicated he will dump it if the State Government doesn't allow the existing casino licence to be split over two sites.

Aquis was due to pay $100,000 to the State Government by the end of the month as part of the formal lodgement of its expression of interest in one of two new casino licences being offered in regional Queensland.

Mr Fung says he has had a very positive meeting with the Attorney General in recent days about extending the licence from the Reef Hotel Casino which it's signed a contract to acquire.

"I think there can only be one route and we are choosing the route that was presented to us by the Premier and I am putting a stop to the other route, lock it, throwing the keys away," he said.

"So far I think the family has put into the project without even a hint of promise, no specific promise, in the region of $15 million already and I cannot spend Justin's money going after a bottomless pit if those goals and the time frame are not meet (sic)."

A spokesman for the Attorney General Jarod Bleijie confirmed the talks but says it is too early to say whether the Government would support the legislative change needed to split a casino licence over two sites.

Mr Bleijie says the government has asked Aquis to come back with a more detailed proposal.

Meanwhile, a Probity Code of Practice has been set up to oversee the expression of interest process, with the former Queensland Auditor General Len Scanlan appointed as probity adviser.

The spokesman says proponents who submit a successful EOI will have until late this year to submit a detailed proposal outlining their integrated resort visions.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/03/10/3960420.htm?site=farnorth