Watchdog to investigate Crown allegations

Attorney-General Christian Porter has referred allegations over Crown and government agencies to the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity.

"There are sufficient concerns to warrant at least further investigations," Mr Porter told parliament on Tuesday.

He said the government took allegations of wrongdoing seriously, particularly by members of law enforcement, immigration and customs authorities.

"They, of course as the part of the broader Australian law enforcement community, hold very privileged positions, and as such are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism."

ACLEI is only able to investigate law enforcement agencies, so if wrongdoing by Crown employees is uncovered, the watchdog will refer it to federal police.

Mr Porter said the next steps were now up to ACLEI, and he would make further statements depending on its decision.

Independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie wanted a parliamentary inquiry on the issue, by Mr Porter said it wouldn't have the appropriate powers to investigate the allegations.

Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said Labor supported the government's view that ACLEI was the appropriate body to look at the allegations.

A vote on establishing the parliamentary inquiry will occur later on Tuesday, but will fail without the government and Labor's support.

Nine on Tuesday claimed Crown was one of a number of companies to have an arrangement with the immigration department to fast-track applications for short-stay visas.

The visa arrangement involving Crown's clients began in 2003 under the Howard coalition government and continued under the Gillard Labor government in 2011, but ended in 2016, Nine reported.

An earlier report accused Crown of laundering large sums of money through its Melbourne gaming venue - allegations the casino giant has strongly rejected.

Australian Associated Press