Racing Minister Chansey Paech meets with the Darwin Turf Club for the first time

New racing minister meets with Darwin Turf Club for the first time to discuss a new funding arrangement for the NT racing industry.

RACING Minister Chansey Paech has met with Thoroughbred Racing NT (TRNT) for the first time to discuss a new funding arrangement for the NT’s racing industry.

Each year the Territory government funds the racing industry $18m each year, but the current agreement is set to expire at the end of the month.

It’s the first time Mr Paech has met with TRNT and the Darwin Turf Club board in his capacity as the new Racing, Gaming and Licensing Minister.

“This week I met with the TRNT and Darwin Turf Club board members and toured the facilities at Fannie Bay,” Mr Paech said.

“The Territory Labor Government values the racing industry’s significant sporting, social and economic contribution to the NT.

“We fund Thoroughbred Racing NT close to $18 million per annum as part of an agreement that expires at the end of this month.

“We are currently considering further funding arrangements towards continued support of racing across the Territory.”

TRNT chief executive Andrew O’Toole felt the meeting was a productive one and looked forward to furthering the relationship with the new racing minister.

“It was a good, positive meeting. He’s a keen racing guy and we talked about ways to help move the industry forward,” Mr O’Toole said.

“He asked all the right questions. We gave him a bit of insight into how the industry runs and how it can continue to work going forward.”

The Turf Club is however still addled by the weight of a potential $12m recoup from the Territory government following the controversial grand stand grant.

TRNT and the Turf Club have consistently called for the recall of the money to be dismissed with fears the industry could be crippled if the money is handed back.

“Our stance hasn’t changed. We want it to go away, it will cripple the industry if it doesn’t,” Mr O’Toole said.

Discussions on the money and its potential recall remain ongoing in government with the decision resting with cabinet.

“At this stage, discussions around recouping the $12 million grant to the Darwin Turf Club remain ongoing,” Mr Paech said.

Racing boss appeals to new cabinet to reverse $12m recall

THOUROUGHBRED Racing NT chairman Syd Stirling has doubled down on calls for the NT government to reverse their decision to recall the $12m from the Darwin Turf Club.

This comes after the introduction of a new cabinet, including a change in Chief Minister.

The infamous multimillion dollar grandstand grant for the three-level grandstand was approved by the NT government in June 2019.

The grandstand opened in July 2020 but was later subject to an ICAC review that found issue with how the money was awarded in regards to alleged corrupt conduct from the board.

The grant was also found not to have been budgeted by the Gunner Government at the time it was awarded.

Those ICAC findings are currently the subject of four separate Supreme Court challenges, including form the Turf Club.

In March of this year, the Government, under then-Chief Minister Michael Gunner, called for the $12m to be returned, a decision the DTC has openly balked at.

Mr Stirling has since called on new Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and new Racing Minister Chansey Paech to “show some personal courage and independent thinking” and reverse the decision.

He argued the $14m received by the NT racing industry generates around $130m worth of economic activity per year, producing close to $13m in GST.

TRNT chairman Syd Stirling has called on the NT Government to reverse the $12m recall. Picture: Elise Derwin

“This short-sighted and mean-spirited decision to punish the Darwin Turf Club will in reality punish the NT government and NT taxpayers far more,” Mr Stirling said.

“It is difficult to see any logic in a decision that has the potential to reduce GST income to the NT as well as creating hardship for the 1000-plus direct employees in NT thoroughbred racing.

“That $13m GST paid within the NT provides at least a four-fold return to the Territory in GST receipts from the Commonwealth under the GST agreement, a figure in excess of $52m which all Territorians benefit from as it goes straight back into the NT budget.

“Chief Minister Fyles and Racing Minister Paech understand the importance of the racing industry and its value to the NT in both economic and social terms.

“They need to step back from the current decision and take an overall objective view of the potential damage it will cause to the racing industry and the NT.”

The controversial Darwin Turf Club grandstand. Picture: Che Chorley

Ms Fyles told the NT News last week that discussions were ongoing on how or if the $12m would be recouped.

“Territorians enjoy a thriving racing industry, and I want to see that continue. We are huge supporters of racing in the Territory, and the boost it brings to our economy,” Ms Fyles said.

“Taxpayers expect and deserve their money to be spent responsibly. Discussions are ongoing regarding the recovery of the $12m from the Darwin Turf Club.”

New racing minister commits to attending Darwin Cup

Newly appointed Racing Minister Chansey Paech has committed to attending the 2022 Darwin Cup Carnival.

This comes after the previous Racing Minister — and now Chief Minister — Natasha Fyles scratched the 2021 Darwin Cup from her itinerary last year.

“As Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing, I absolutely intend to attend Darwin Cup Carnival events,” Mr Paech said.

“The carnival is a highlight of the Territory’s sporting and social calendar, and a fantastic visitor drawcard.”

His confirmation comes following the resignation of three Darwin Turf Club (DTC) board members.

The club still faces a call from the NT government to repay a $12m grandstand grant.

Earlier this week DTC chief executive Brad Morgan said repaying the money could place the club in “financial peril”.

There has yet to be an indication on how the government wants the money repaid, with the new Chief Minister, Ms Fyles, saying that discussions were still ongoing.

“Territorians enjoy a thriving racing industry, and I want to see that continue. We are huge supporters of racing in the Territory, and the boost it brings to our economy,” Ms Fyles said.

“Taxpayers expect and deserve their money to be spent responsibly. Discussions are ongoing regarding the recovery of the $12m from the Darwin Turf Club.”