Overview

• Brisbane’s Star casino staff held a two-hour protected strike from 4 pm to 6 pm in the first industrial action of its kind against an Australian casino operator
• Employees spurned a three-year, 4 per cent pay increase that includes cuts to Sunday penalty rates, intensifying calls for wage parity with Sydney
• Union leaders warned that lowest-paid roles such as cleaners and housekeepers will bear the brunt of reduced penalty rates
• Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium have signalled intent to terminate their $53 million purchase of a Queen’s Wharf stake, threatening the broader $300 million rescue plan
• Queensland Premier David Crisafulli emphasised that maintaining casino operations and safeguarding jobs must guide any ownership transition