Government and racing alliance in ‘positive’ meeting

RACING: Queensland racing industry representatives are hopeful a “productive” meeting with state government officials can help avert possible industrial action over the Point of Consumption tax introduction.

The POC — introduced last Monday — will be applied at a rate of 15% of net wagering revenue earned from bets placed by Queensland punters through betting operators licensed in Australia.

The government will not direct any of the tax revenue raised back into thoroughbred prize money which has frustrated industry members lobbying for a cash boost for stakeholders.

Each of Queensland’s trainer, owner, jockey and breeder associations have backed the threat of strike action at race meetings on October 27 and November 6 — including Toowoomba — in protest against the government decision.

The tax was the focus of a meeting on Tuesday between the government and the racing industry alliance which comprises representatives from the TBQA, Racing Queensland, the Australian Trainers Association, Queensland Jockeys Association Jockeys and Queensland Racehorse Owners Association.

Government representatives included deputy premier Jackie Trad and racing minister Stirling Hinchliffe.

The aim was to ensure the government was fully informed about the current state of thoroughbred racing, a situation that is “worsening” as the gap between Queensland and the leading states of NSW and Victoria continues to widen.

The alliance described the meeting a in a press release as very robust, passionate, constructive and positive.