James Packer

A Four Corners investigation documented a private lunch in 2012, arranged with Alan Jones's assistance, during which James Packer presented Barry O'Farrell with his Barangaroo casino proposal. The project subsequently advanced through the unsolicited proposals process, fuelling criticism of political access and transparency.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Crown inquiry examined the company's relationships with junket operators and the risks of money laundering and organised crime infiltration. Packer acknowledged that junkets could be infiltrated and was questioned about information he received concerning VIP customers.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Directly implicated

Crown employees operating in China expressed concerns about legal risks before the arrest of 19 staff members in 2016; several were subsequently sentenced to imprisonment. During the NSW inquiry into Crown, Packer was questioned about oversight of those operations and the information reaching him.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

During the NSW inquiry into Crown, James Packer acknowledged making threats in 2015 in the context of business discussions relating to a possible privatisation of Crown. Questioned about the messages, he described his own behaviour as shameful and disgraceful.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated

After leaving Crown's board, Packer continued receiving detailed information and intervening with executives through arrangements reserved for his investment group. The NSW inquiry examined whether this arrangement allowed a controlling shareholder to exercise influence without the formal responsibilities of a director.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The sale of a Crown stake to Melco Resorts, controlled by Lawrence Ho, generated considerable controversy because of a NSW licence clause intended to prevent certain associations with Stanley Ho and the lack of prior consultation with the regulator. The transaction contributed to the initiation of the Crown inquiry.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

One.Tel collapsed in 2001 after consuming hundreds of millions of dollars contributed notably by the Packer and Murdoch groups. James Packer, a non-executive director and major investor, publicly apologised for the disaster. Years of litigation followed; in 2014, companies linked to Packer and Lachlan Murdoch agreed to contribute to a settlement worth approximately 40 million dollars.

State of the evidence

Documented

James Packer and David Gyngell were involved in a highly publicised physical altercation in Bondi. Police charged them with offensive behaviour, and each received a fine of 500 Australian dollars.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following remarks attributed to James Packer about the respective strategies of Crown and Echo Entertainment, the ACCC examined whether an anticompetitive agreement or understanding might exist between the groups.

Attribution

Personally implicated