CLP squash speculation about moving Darwin Turf Club
SPECULATION about the future of horse racing at Fannie Bay has finally been squashed by Chief Minister Adam Giles.
Northern Territory
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CHIEF Minister Adam Giles and Racing Minister Peter Styles have finally quashed speculation about the future of horse racing at Fannie Bay.
But it took them until Tuesday night and a “clear the air” meeting with the Territory’s racing hierarchy before they emphatically stated that the Darwin Turf Club and Fannie Bay Racing would not be relocated to Hidden Valley.
Darwin Turf Club chairman Brett Dixon was at the meeting as part of the delegation from Thoroughbred Racing Northern Territory and was relieved to hear the belated news from the Government.
“Mr Giles and Mr Styles 100 per cent confirmed that Fannie Bay racetrack will not be relocated,” Mr Dixon said.
“We are ecstatic that they made the statement and the speculation has all been put to bed as of Tuesday’s meeting.”
READ: SPECULATION RACETRACK WILL BE MOVED
Rumours that there was a “hidden” agenda for the Darwin Turf Club fuelled by comments from Treasurer David Tollner had been circulating within Government and sporting circles for at least six months.
When the NT News published details of the speculation, concerns were aired on other media outlets and by Opposition Leader Michael Gunner, the member for Fannie Bay.
Meanwhile, Mr Styles raised the inflammatory issue of Mr Tollner’s comments for the first time in a statement yesterday.
“Mr Tollner has a view on (Hidden Valley) and he’s entitled to that, but it’s not my view,” he said.
“It’s my portfolio and only me and the Chief Minister have any authority on it.
“We’re about to invest $400,000 in an underpass.
“We wouldn’t do that kind of thing if we were going to spend $200 million to move the track to Hidden Valley.
“(Mr Tollner’s) job is to ask questions, how he does that is his business.”
Tuesday’s meeting also discussed racing funding.
“The Department of Business are going through TRNT’s books, but I have no concerns,” Mr Styles said.
READ: OPPOSITION CALLS ON CLP TO RULE OUT MOVING RACETRACK
“As far as I am concerned, everything is above board.”
Former Labor racing minister Syd Stirling also slammed Mr Tollner for his comments.
“For anyone to make a claim that the Darwin Turf Club wastes $15 million a year would be simply misinformed, but for the Treasurer of the NT to make such a claim has to be a calculated and malicious lie,” he said.
“The Treasurer would be aware from Treasury briefings and reports that the Darwin Turf Club and Darwin Cup carnival particularly is responsible for many hundreds of millions of dollars coming into the NT economy and this has been the case for many, many years.’’
Originally published as CLP squash speculation about moving Darwin Turf Club
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