Queensland election 2017: Labor pledges $70 million for country racing

IN a massive boost for the Queensland racing industry, the Labor Government has pledged $70 million for Queensland country racing over the next four years if it is re-elected this month.

Horses racing in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council Class 1 Handicap at the Innisfail Turf Club.

IN a massive boost for the Queensland Racing Industry, the Labor Government has pledged $70 million to fund Queensland country racing over the next four years if it is re-elected this month.

It is understood the figure includes $10.4 million for infrastructure, but will free up an additional $10 million a year from Racing Queensland’s budget, which can then be allocated to addressing pressing issues like prize money deficiencies.

The announcement follows an economic impact study commissioned by Racing Queensland that showed racing contributed $1.2 billion annually to the state’s economy.

“This unprecedented $70 million country racing package will deliver increased certainty for more than 100 non-TAB racing clubs and the industry’s 16,700 participants in regional Queensland,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

Queensland hosts more ‘non-TAB’ or Country races than any other state in Australia and its funding has long been a point of contention within the industry.

This package offsets the cost of staging that huge number of non-TAB meetings.

Stan Johnston, a champion of country racing who races horses all over the state, said the pledge was a win for the entire industry.

“This is exactly what we have asked for,” Johnson said.

“Racing Queensland has been magnificent and it brings certainty to country racing and frees up funds to boost prize money for metropolitan and provincial racing.

“It’s also a wonderful result for many country towns, who benefit on so many levels from these race meetings.”

Racing Minister Grace Grace with Racing Queensland’s Steve Wilson. Picture: Tim Marsden

Premier Palaszczuk said more than 47 per cent of the economic impact benefits regional Queensland.

“Some country race clubs might only race once or twice a year, but these race days are huge social occasions for communities around the state,” she said.

“That’s why we’re going to be the first government in Queensland history to treat country racing as a community service obligation.”

Racing Queensland, under the chairmanship of Steve Wilson and Chief Executive Eliot Forbes, have made the funding of country racing one of its major targets since taking office.

“A lot of work has gone in for many months trying to get messages across,” Forbes said.

“The economic impact study tells a strong story of how important racing is.”

Racing Minister Grace Grace said the funding was in addition to the $6 million Country and Regional Capital Works Package announced earlier this year.

“Of the 845,000 people who attended race meetings, 69 per cent were in regional areas, demonstrating the fact that racing is deeply woven into the social fabric of regional Queensland,” she said.