REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday Sept 27, 2007

THE horse flu crisis was declared a state disaster, with Cyclone Larry-type emergency measures introduced to rescue Queensland’s racing industry and its workers.

Gold Coast workers and small businesses directly involved in the racing industry were able to apply for emergency aid to tide them over until horses were vaccinated for equine influenza and allowed back on the track.

The first batch of vaccine was due to arrive from France that night and was to be rushed to the Gold Coast in a bid to prevent the spread of the disease and allow the city’s race meetings to recommence within two months.

With all racing on the Gold Coast cancelled for at least six weeks and banned in Brisbane until at least February 2008, the Bligh Government implemented a range of shortterm emergency measures to bail out employees and small businesses directly affected by cancelled race meetings.

The State Disaster Management Group was also convened.

Premier Anna Bligh said lowincome employees and casual workers would receive emergency relief payments of up to $100 to help until Centrelink payments arrive, while small businesses would be able to access an $8 million small business subsidy scheme to help them meet their financial commitments.

“These are the sorts of arrangements you would see if a natural disaster hit,’’ she said.

“While it may not be a sudden disaster like a cyclone, it is much more of a smouldering nature and it will continue to have a long-term effect.”