Page 1044 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 17 March 2010
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passed the race fields legislation in this place earlier this year, we would not be here this evening. It is disappointing because, once again, it shows the lack of interest that the Stanhope-Gallagher government has in the future of the ACT and in the future of private enterprise in the ACT. It shows a lack of interest in the development of what has been a viable and successful industry and it shows a lack of interest in the racing industry itself in the ACT, an industry that provides a considerable economic benefit to the ACT and the region.
The major part of the local racing industry, the Canberra Racing Club, involves direct spending of almost $40 million each year, real gross-added value of nearly $50 million a year; at least 50,000 people attending on-course races; and around 2,000 people employed either directly or indirectly, which is equivalent to a full-time equivalent basis of some 420 or more people. Clearly there is an even more significant economic contribution when you count into these numbers harness racing and greyhound racing as well.
I am also extremely disappointed because the minister has not been entirely open about the prospective funding arrangements for racing in the ACT. Late in 2009, the minister presented the Racing Amendment Bill. The intention was to bring the ACT into line with other jurisdictions by imposing a fee on race field information. And what did the minister say? He said:
The revenue generated by the scheme will belong to the clubs.
That is quite clear and unequivocal:
The revenue generated by the scheme will belong to the clubs.
All of the new revenue will be returned to the club, less a small fee that will be paid to the Gambling and Racing Commission for collecting the moneys. Further, the minister acknowledged in presenting this bill that changing realities are facing the racing industry, such as the need to secure funding for the industry into the future and the changing nature of the way in which people are placing bets. The minister also noted:
… the industry will not be worse off than they would be under the current scheme.
Sadly for the ACT racing industry, when all the rhetoric is removed from the minister’s statement, the industry will be receiving less funding than at present. And this places in jeopardy the future of the racing industry in the ACT.
The ACT racing industry has received an independent analysis of the likely effect of the reduced funding on the Canberra Racing Club. It is anticipated that this club will have to reduce the number of race meetings held each year by up to five, will have to reduce prize money for each race, will lose the equivalent of 85 full-time jobs, will have 400 people who will not be employed on a full or part-time basis and will face a reduction in trainers based at and horses being trained at Thoroughbred Park as well as having to face a reduction in revenue. There is only one outcome from this. It is a significantly weaker club, with diminished ability to compete in the emerging national product market.
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