Partington: “Great victory” for racing
The Queensland government has agreed to add $26 million in prize money over the next six months to the state’s thoroughbred racing industry. According to the Guardian newspaper, officials “caved to avert a threatened strike.”
An alliance of trainers, jockeys, owners and breeders had demanded more money from the proceeds of a new 15 percent point of consumption tax on wagering, which is expected to raise $70 million in the first year. Racing Queensland, the body that oversees thoroughbred, greyhound and harness racing, was already to receive a $20 million grant for new greyhound and harness facilities. The government had also agreed to forgive a $17.8 million debt owed by Racing Queensland. Other beneficiaries included the emergency helicopter network, compulsive gambling programs and community sporting associations, but that wasn’t enough for industry members. Scheduled TAB race meetings in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Townsville and the Gold Coast had already been cancelled before the multimillion-dollar deal was struck.
Treasurer Jackie Trad, in discussing the deal, said the racing industry must become self-sustaining. “The long-term challenges the industry faces did not arise overnight. There is no quick fix here but what we’ve seen today are some positive steps in the right direction.” Trad said sustainability “can only come from reform. We’ll now work closely with industry to explore what those changes might look like.”
Cameron Partington, spokesman for the Thoroughbred Alliance, said the additional prize money is a “great victory” for the racing industry.
“We’ve stood united in our demands and we’re satisfied that today’s outcome will deliver for all participants—owners, trainers, jockeys and breeders, not to mention the thousands of workers employed in the industry.
