Anthony Albanese faces calls to allow politicians to watch Melbourne Cup

Anthony Albanese is facing pressure from pollies – and a top horse trainer – to reschedule Question Time on Melbourne Cup Day because it clashes with the race that stops the nation.

The Albanese government is under pressure – including from a top horse trainer – to reschedule Question Time on Melbourne Cup Day because it clashes with the race that stops the nation.

The Opposition says Anthony Albanese has set a precedent to move the daily grilling, after it was held at 10am on Wednesday so the Prime Minister could fly to Laos.

The government’s decision for parliament to sit on Melbourne Cup Day, the first time since 2011, has disappointed MPs from across the aisle who wanted to attend the world renowned event but will now be in Canberra.

Question Time begins at 2pm and usually lasts for about 70 minutes, which means attendees would miss the coveted 3pm race.

Winning jockey Mark Zahra high fives the crowd on Melbourne Cup Day. Picture: David Caird

Senior Liberal MP Dan Tehan said the decision was “un-Australian” and questioned whether Mr Albanese understood the tradition and importance of the major event, and what it signified to all Australians.

“If it’s good enough for him to move Question Time so that he can fly overseas, surely, it’s good enough for him to be able to move question time so that we can watch the Melbourne Cup,” Mr Tehan said.

“It is the race that stops the nation, and the fact that it will stop the nation everywhere, apart from the 151 elected representatives of the nation, is beyond a joke.

“If he doesn’t do it, sadly, it will show how out of touch this Prime Minister is becoming.”

Mr Tehan, who is the co-convener of the new Parliamentary Friends of Thoroughbred Racing Group, called on the government to make the changes during the group’s event launch in Canberra on Wednesday night.

Dan Tehan during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman

Award-winning horse trainer Chris Waller also called on the government to “bring (Question Time) forward” saying it would be “very special” to have the politicians watching.

“It’s one of those very special moments in Australia,” Mr Waller said.

“There’s over 350 race clubs, a lot of it’s voluntary, a lot of it’s people that put their pride and passion into racing.

“Each one of those politicians are from an area which has a racetrack and employs people, and a lot of that employment in those rural and country areas isn’t plentiful, so it’s an important part of employing over 250,00 people in Australia.

“Racing is part of Australia’s heart, and it brings people together. It’s done it through the Depression. It’s done it through some really tough times. It’s done it through wars. When wars are over, it brings all genders together.”

Anthony Albanese is facing calls to cancel Question Time on Melbourne Cup Day. Picture: Martin Ollman

A Victoria Racing Club spokeswoman said it would welcome parliament moving Question Time to watch the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

“The race that stops a nation benefits all of Australia, last year generating $605.7m in direct expenditure across the country from Lexus Melbourne Cup Day activity,” she said.

At least 11 million people watched, listened or engaged in an activity to celebrate the Lexus Melbourne Cup last year.

But Greens spokesperson for animal welfare, Mehreen Faruqi, said the arrogance of the Coalition “knows no bounds”.

“Not only do they support gambling-fuelled animal cruelty, now they want to take time out when they’re meant to be at work to watch this anachronistic sport that fewer and fewer people follow,” Senator Faruqi said.

“The Melbourne Cup doesn’t stop the nation anymore, and it certainly shouldn’t stop parliament.”

Meanwhile, Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison used the gathering at Parliament House to raise his concerns about mounting pressure for changes to online gambling.

Mr Morrison said the industry was “anxiously awaiting” the outcome of this federal government’s review into online wagering, adding it was important the impact on the sustainability of the racing industry was taken into consideration.

He said future funding was critical to support local jobs.

“Wagering provides almost all of the income for the industry with some shape or form, so any impact on wagering is going to have some impact on racing,” Mr Morrison said.

Mr Albanese left parliament early on Wednesday to fly to Laos for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations conference.

The federal government was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese faces calls to allow politicians to watch Melbourne Cup