The Minister for Territories, Jim Lloyd, says re-opening the Christmas Island Resort without its casino is the best way forward for tourism on the island.

The resort casino closed in 1998 because of financial difficulties.

Sydney businessman David Kwon bought the resort and tried to reopen the casino, but the Federal Government made it illegal to have casino operations on the Island in 2004.

Mr Lloyd is on Christmas Island to attend the reopening of the resort.

He says it is not in the best interests of the Christmas Island community to have a casino.

„There are grave questions as to whether a casino would be financially viable again so we’re very pleased to see the resort is open and will continue to employ people but certainly not as a casino,“ he said.

„I’m sure that David Kwon does still want a casino licence but I have informed him on a number of occasions that the Australian Government’s decision is final.“