Government has to back racing industry
Queensland trainers, jockeys, staff threaten the unthinkable – a Melbourne Cup strike
QUEENSLAND racing participants have no option but to stand firm and go through with their threats to strike on Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup day.
If the State Government refuses to acknowledge the contribution that the racing industry makes to Queensland, then drastic action needs to be taken.
Despite the consensus that racing is all about wagering, it is much more than that.
The racing industry would be one of the biggest employers in Queensland in terms of direct and indirect jobs.
Far from me to agree with a politician, but LNP leader Deb Frecklington said it well yesterday.
“The Premier has been mute on this and showed a total lack of leadership,” Ms Frecklington said. “Why hasn’t the Premier personally intervened to sort the mess created by her deputy Jackie Trad and Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.
“This is a damning indictment on the Premier’s leadership and shows a government completely out of touch.”
This Saturday, racing that was programmed for Townsville, Brisbane and other provincial areas in Queensland will be called off.
Unless the State Government comes to the party, it will be the same again on Melbourne Cup day.
The potential impact this will have on trainers across the state, especially the Far North, will be enormous. What do you think? @mattnicholls29 and tell us your opinion
Trainers are already struggling to make ends meet on the poor prizemoney being offered at country race meetings.
An alliance made up of jockeys, trainers and breeders wants the Government to follow the lead of Victoria and NSW and allocate prizemoney increases from the Point of Consumption tax.
North Queensland trainer Alby Molino said the racing industry must stand strong.
“We’ve got to stick together, otherwise they’ll walk all over the top of us,” he said. “We might lose out now, but we’re going to gain in the long term.
“I think they will make it (strike) longer (if a solution isn’t reached). Brisbane’s a big racing place and I feel they will take it further if nothing’s resolved.
“If they put money back into the sport, it will pick up the industry like anything.”
The prize purses on offer in North Queensland are dwarfed by those on offer in NSW and Victoria, who have boosted prizemoney through the POC.
“If they (trainers) are making enough money to pay for their bills, they’re happy. If it’s going to cost you money all the time, they’re just going to give it up,” Molino said.