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Introduction
In a historic move, workers at The Star Casino Brisbane staged their first-ever strike on Friday, walking off the job at 4pm amid growing fears over the company’s financial future. With stalled wage negotiations, slashed penalty rates, and looming bankruptcy concerns, staff say they were left with no choice but to take industrial action.
The strike signals deep unrest inside the multibillion-dollar Queen’s Wharf precinct—once touted as a symbol of Queensland’s tourism future, now overshadowed by allegations, instability, and employee discontent.
Details of the Incident
Nearly 2,000 workers were offered a 4% wage increase, but the proposal also included a $6-per-hour cut to Sunday penalty rates. For most, the net result amounted to a pay cut in real terms during a cost-of-living crisis.
Bartender Kaine Kennedy said his hourly rate would rise from $25.55 to just $26.57—only marginally above the $24.95 minimum wage. “If I was doing the exact same job at the Star in Sydney, I would be getting almost two dollars an hour more,” he told 7NEWS.
The United Workers Union (UWU), which represents the striking employees, said staff were being “sold out” despite keeping the casino operational through “disaster after disaster.”
Regulatory Actions and Financial Concerns
The Star Entertainment Group is currently facing regulatory scrutiny over allegations including money laundering and governance breaches. A proposed $300 million bailout by US casino giant Bally’s Corporation is now in doubt after Hong Kong investors withdrew support—casting fresh uncertainty over the company’s solvency and Queensland operations.
Regulators continue to consider penalties that could push the company closer to collapse. The uncertainty has put thousands of jobs and the casino’s licence at risk.
Broader Implications
For workers, the issue is no longer just about hourly wages—it’s about survival and respect. “Through all of this, from the uncertainty about administration to our fear for our futures, we’ve kept the doors open,” the UWU stated.
Jo Schofield, National President of the UWU, said the workforce had kept the Brisbane casino afloat during turbulent times, while executives fumbled: “The shiny suits at Star Brisbane Casino blundered from disaster to disaster.”
The strike is part of a broader pattern of frustration with The Star Group’s two-tier treatment of staff. Workers say they are consistently asked to perform higher duties without adequate compensation and are denied redundancy entitlements available to their counterparts at Star Sydney.
Company Response
The Star Entertainment Group has not issued a formal response to the strike. However, they remain under pressure from both investors and regulators to stabilise the business amid ongoing financial and legal troubles.
The UWU has warned that if management fails to present a fair and reasonable deal, strike action will escalate.
Facility Details
The Star Brisbane Casino forms part of the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf redevelopment—one of the most ambitious infrastructure and tourism investments in Queensland. Its completion and continued operation are now in question, given the uncertain financial position of its parent company.
Once envisioned as a hub for luxury entertainment, the site now symbolizes the fragile intersection of commercial ambition and workplace discontent.
Conclusion
For many casino staff, the strike represents more than lost wages—it’s a stand for dignity and fairness in the face of corporate collapse. As Star Brisbane’s financial future hangs in the balance, workers are demanding more than just reassurances—they want action, equity, and the respect they say is long overdue.