New era in Queensland as Racing Integrity Bill limps over the line

THE State Government has given an iron-clad guarantee the new model for racing in Queensland will not cost the industry one extra cent.

Eagle Farm redevelopment. Pic Darren England.

THE State Government has given an iron-clad guarantee the new model for racing in Queensland will not cost the industry one extra cent.

After months of speculation, the Government’s Racing Integrity Bill limped over the line in Parliament late on Thursday night, and a new era will be ushered in next week.

Opponents of the Bill had lobbied for months and felt they had a strong chance of defeating it, but independent MP Rob Pyne sided with the Government to clinch a 44-43 vote.

Those against the Bill, including the Queensland Racing Unity Group, fear an explosion in costs with the establishment of the new Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) under the leadership of Ross Barnett.

Racing Minister Grace Grace has assured the industry it will not foot the extra cost and will inherit some immediate savings.

“Racing Queensland currently pays $14.8 million a year on integrity services, (and) the additional costs associated with QRIC will be met by government — not industry — for at least the next four years,” Ms Grace said.

The Government will soon announce three new independent board members, who will sit alongside chairman Steve Wilson and the representatives of the three racing codes.

A replacement also has to be found for ousted thoroughbred rep Jim Rundle.

Positive outlook: Racing Minister Grace Grace with Racing Queensland chairman Steve Wilson. Picture: Tim Marsden

The new board will take effect from May 1 and appointed chairman Steve Wilson said the passing of the bill means the industry can now look to the future with certainty.

We dominate other sports in size and income and more importantly we dominate them in terms of community contribution. Racing matters.

- Racing Queensland chair Steve Wilson

“This industry has had a lot of negative publicity and it is time to change that,” Wilson said.

“We have been getting too many kicks unfairly.

“We dominate other sports in size and income and more importantly we dominate them in terms of community contribution. Racing matters.”

Wilson said he was looking forward to the announcement of the remaining board members.

“Obviously it’s very important to the industry that we have a good board, but what matters more is that we have an outstanding management team and we have some outstanding candidates to consider for the chief executive position,” Wilson said.

All systems go: The jewel in Racing Queensland’s crown, Eagle Farm, looks well placed for its official reopening on Oaks Day. Picture: Jack Tran

The Brisbane Racing Club entered one of the 140 submissions opposing the new structure, but chairman Neville Bell said now the bill has passed, it’s time to put the past 10 months behind the industry and set about starting a new era.

“We fought the good fight and it wasn’t to be. We have to accept the decision now and get on with the business of racing,” Bell said at a launch for this year’s Brisbane winter carnival on Friday.

“The two key players in making this work will be Steve Wilson and Ross Barnett and having spoken to both at length, I’m confident they have the capacity to do that.”

Cairns MP Rob Pyne wrote to QRUG on Friday, outlining his reasons for voting with the bill.

QRUG members had in the words of Pyne, “flooded” his office with phone calls in the days leading up to the vote in a bid to have him side against the government.

“Can I congratulate you on the passion you have for your industry,” Pyne said.

“Your active representation worked. The bill passed with what they tell me was a world record number of amendments.”

The Shadow Minister for Racing Jann Stuckey had run a passionate statewide campaign in an effort to have the bill voted down and was disappointed with Thursday night’s outcome.

“This bill is yet another example of stick-before-carrot approaches that have crucified confidence and outraged an industry that was being very patient and very polite while this government dithered all through 2015,” Stuckey said.

“Show me any other industry that was put on hold for so long that could survive. If it was not for the dedication and passion of so many racing folk, it would not have.”

Good cover: the course proper looks in perfect condition for the venue’s big comeback day in early June.

Originally published as New era in Queensland as Racing Integrity Bill limps over the line