Racing’s big shock

Probe hears of industry caught out

TASMANIA’S brothels were given more notice of a COVID-19 shutdown than the state’s $100m a year racing industry, an inquiry has heard.

The Public Accounts Committee heard evidence from racing clubs, after the industry was halted from April 2 and resumed in mid-June.

Tasmanian Racing Club chair Andrew Scanlon said there was no warning of — or consultation before — the government’s decision.

THE abrupt shutdown of the state’s racing codes because of COVID-19 came as a complete surprise to the industry, a parliamentary committee has heard.

The Public Accounts Committee has heard evidence from the heads of gallops, trots and greyhound clubs.

Racing in the state was halted from April 2 and recommenced in mid-June.

Tasmanian Racing Club chairman Andrew Scanlon said there was no warning of – or consultation before – the state government’s decision.

“It was a complete surprise to us,” he said.

“Nobody in the industry was forewarned. I would have thought they would have given the industry a period to get ready for a shutdown. We ended up being shut down without notice.”

Mr Scanlon said the decision had affected the confidence of owners, who had pulled back from investment and racing syndicates which were now concerned about sending horses to the state.

“We haven’t been given a proper explanation and all other jurisdictions throughout Australia kept racing,” he said.

“I don’t know what was known here to health officers that wasn’t known throughout the country.”

Mr Scanlon called for a review of TasRacing and a boost to stakes money to help the industry. Graeme Barber from the Hobart Greyhound Racing Club said the shutdown came as trainers were on their way to a race meeting.

Tasmanian Trotting Club CEO Steve Devereux said: “We were informed by social media and people ringing in and asking what was going on.

“We had nothing official until the Premier’s press conference that afternoon. There was nothing really in the leadup that gave us any indication we were about to be shut down. My wife rang me and said ‘are you watching this?’ ”

Mr Devereux said he understood COVID-19 had caused widespread economic damage and the racing industry was not going to be immune, despite some government assistance.

“We’re realists, we know we’re not going to come out of this with a rose in every vase in our house,” he said.

Racing Minister Jane Howlett said the decision to halt racing was taken on the advice of public health officials.