The Queensland government is yet to formally offer the cash-strapped Star casino a lifeline, but wants to save thousands of jobs tied to the ailing company.

The Star’s Queens Wharf hotel and casino precinct is expected to create about 3000 jobs and is crucial to the Queensland government’s masterplan for the Brisbane CBD and future tourism growth, including the 2032 Olympics. But cost blowouts on the project and a legal stoush with builder Multiplex have caused financial turmoil, with The Star looking for a white knight.

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The Star entered a trading halt on Friday, before going cap in hand to the NSW and Queensland governments asking for a tax reprieve.

Premier Steven Miles is yet to reveal his government’s plans to save Star’s casinos in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, and will not be drawn on the government’s contingency plans should the company collapse.

“There’s nothing further to update on The Star situation,” Premier Steven Miles said yesterday.

“What I’ve been very clear about is we want to ensure that taxpayers receive every single dollar owed to them by Star.

“And we also want to ensure the 1400 people set to be employed at Queen’s Wharf Brisbane get their job.”

His NSW counterpart is not coming to the party.

After intervening in February to provide the struggling company with taxation respite in exchange for a formal agreement to maintain 3000 jobs until 2030, NSW Premier Chris Minns said his government was not inclined to step in again.

with Harriet Alexander, Amelia McGuire and Max Maddison