INSTABILITY IS COSTLY

Q

There have been so many state government changes that it must be hard to have any promises to the racing industry come through. How frustrating is that?

A

I have been on the board for about a decade and in that time we have had three state governments, different Racing Queensland chairmen, and seven racing ministers. That is where the problem is. There is too much instability in Racing Queensland boards and turnover of politicians to try to understand the business. They just haven’t been in the portfolio long enough to understand. The question has to be asked, why so many racing ministers have gone through the system.

Q

The turf club owning its land at Bundall has been massive for its survival. How important has that been?

A

There was once a relocation on the table to Palm Meadows. The Labor Party were trying to get us to sell our land, relocate to Palm Meadows. But when we went down there we were only going to be a tenant. It’s exactly what happened to harness and greyhound racing down here at Parklands. If we went there we would have lost all ownership. Racing Queensland would have owned the land. The same as Stadiums Queensland own Metricon Stadium and can put the rent up. This club and land is owned by the members. We changed the constitution the first year I was here so the members have to vote to sell the land. There is more protection for the land because 80 per cent of the members wouldn’t vote for that.