IN NICK OF TIME

IT’S been called the sport of kings but in this state, racing is very much also the sport of the ordinary punters.

They often hail from struggle streets in the outer suburbs and regions. A sizeable number of them are blue collar and Labor supporters, or at least come from what was once the traditional support base until frustration drove many into the arms of the minor parties. These are the people Labor should be courting, not annoying.

The Queensland Labor Government blinked yesterday in its confrontation with the racing industry, backing down and negotiating a truce with Racing Queensland after industry stakeholders had called a strike today and on Melbourne Cup day.

The industry was furious the Government’s 15 per cent point of consumption levy on bookies was being imposed without any return to boost prizemoney. But all that changed when the Government sat down with Racing Queensland. The result was a deal to deliver a fixed $26 million sum to the industry.

We’re pleased the Palaszczuk Government heeded the warning bells – and no doubt the lesson from what happened to former NSW premier Mike Baird when he tried to ban greyhound racing in 2016. It soon became evident that despite the opinions of the well-heeled in the leafy parts of inner Sydney, that decision angered the punting voters in struggle street and the bush. Mr Baird backed down but his political career was soon over.

The Queensland Government has recognised, probably in the nick of time, just how loved racing is.