June 5, 2016
Sunday’s announcement by Racing Minister Grace Grace of $21 million funding in the upcoming Budget for country racing confirms announcements made earlier this year by the State Government.
To offset the prize money cuts contained in Racing Queensland’s “Tracking Towards Sustainability” plan, the State Government will provide $13 million to country racing over the next four years: $4 million for each of the first two years to fully maintain country prize money, and then $3 million in year three and $2 million in year four.
As well, $2 million per year, over four years, will be provided to assist country race clubs in exploring other revenue options into the future.
Shadow Racing Minister Jon Krause said no amount of spin from Ms Grace could cover up the loss of confidence and certainty in the industry caused by the “Tracking Towards Sustainability” plan.
“Minister Grace’s Country Racing Support Program announcement is not new and there is no extra funding,” Mr Krause said.
“Queensland racing continues to be leaderless and rudderless.
“Just 12 months after Annastacia Palaszczuk sacked the Racing Queensland CEO and board members, the industry still has no permanent CEO, no full board and no thoroughbred racing representative.”
Mr Krause said Minister Grace was standing by the “Tracking Towards Sustainability” report which indicated $4.6 million would be cut from country racing prize money while $8.5 million would be cut from thoroughbred racing prizemoney.
“Country towns need country racing – and country racing needs certainty from the Queensland Government and for prize money cuts to be reversed,” he said.
“These cuts to prize money aren’t sustainable for an industry which keeps regional towns ticking, providing a social and economic boost to our regions.
In Sunday’s media statement, Ms Grace said the State Government was a “great supporter of country racing”.
“We recognise the central role country racing plays in communities throughout the State, along with the jobs and economic activity it generates, ” she said.
“Annual Cup Days are the biggest day on the social calendar in many regional towns, and we want these meetings to go from strength to strength.”
Ms Grace said the $21 million support over four years would have “a strong focus on assisting country racing clubs with business development, marketing and tourism attraction opportunities”.
“This is a significant support package which will put Queensland country racing on the path to a more prosperous future,” she said.
“It provides a well-designed mix of prize money support and expertise to assist country race clubs in seizing new commercial opportunities.
“Country racing offers untapped tourism opportunities and our focus in the years ahead will be on attracting more visitors to our fabulous country tracks.”
Ms Grace said Queensland racing had been through some challenging times recently, but the industry had an extremely bright future.
“We’ve taken some tough decisions and made important reforms such as the creation of the new Queensland Racing Integrity Commission,” she said.
“Soon I’ll be announcing the full new Racing Queensland Board and I’ll work closely with chair Steve Wilson and his team to grow and prosper racing.
“I’ll continue to visit country race meetings and work with country race clubs to ensure this vital part of the industry gets the support it needs.”
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