Tax take an industry hit

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“The pleasing part now is that they are all united together. My phone has been ringing hot since last Saturday from people from all over Queensland and the message is the same.

“If you’re going to hit a struggling industry with another tax, return some back on an annual basis.”

GCTC CEO Steve Lines said the tax snub was incomprehensible.

“We are a not-for-profit organisation and everything we earn we reinvest back to the industry via the club,” Lines said.

“We are a community facility that supports everything from thoroughbred racing to charitable fundraisers, weddings, parties, Christmas functions and a plethora of other social get-togethers.

“Just two weeks ago we held a massive event called Pink Ribbon Raceday, where funds were raised by the community for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The club’s investment in the day was significant.

“How can you make a garden, not fertilise it, not water it, yet still expect to keep pulling vegetables out?

“I can tell you the water is drying up, unless we receive some sustainable and committed investment then there won’t be a racing industry into the future.

“We’ve been very proactive with the Government prior to this decision in order to try to get some positive outcomes for the industry on the Gold Coast but at this point they haven’t been delivered on.

“We are keen to see that common sense will prevail.”