Queensland Melbourne Cup day strike scratched

They’re racing in Queensland on Melbourne Cup day. But while that strike action has been averted, there’ll be no TAB races in Qld tomorrow.

Champion mare Winx shoots for her fourth Cox Plate in Melbourne tomorrow, but there’ll be no TAB racing in Queensland for Cox Plate day. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty

Proposed strike action that would have shut down Queensland horseracing on Melbourne Cup day has been averted after a state government backdown following weeks of pressure from the racing industry.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe met with representatives of Racing Queensland and the Thoroughbred Alliance in Brisbane today where they struck up an eleventh-hour agreement to inject a further $26 million in prizemoney into Queensland races.

Strike action will go ahead tomorrow, meaning no TAB races will be run in Queensland on Cox Plate day.

The Thoroughbred Alliance agreed to continue discussions about “broader industry reforms”, the government said in a press release.

Mr Trad said the government was seeking to create a more sustainable racing industry.

“As I’ve said previously, the long term challenges the industry faces did not arise overnight,” she said.

“There is no quick fix here, but what we’ve seen today are some positive steps in the right direction.

“We’ve had some very frank and respectful conversations this morning and there’s now general agreement that industry sustainability can only come from reform.

“We’ll now work closely with industry to explore what those changes might look like.”

The government agreed to increase prizemoney by $18 million from November 1, and by a further $8 million in six months.

It is understood the money will not come directly from funds raised from the government’s wagering tax which sparked the dispute when it was introduced earlier this month.

Thoroughbred Alliance spokesman Cameron Partington said the deal was a “great victory” for the industry.

“We’ve stood united in our demands and we’re satisfied that today’s outcome will deliver for all participants — owners, trainers, jockeys and breeders, not to mention the thousands of workers employed in the industry,” he said.

“Prize money are the wages of industry and this increase will be music to the ears of our members.

“The Alliance is happy to continue working with government to develop further options for reform which will make for a stronger and more prosperous racing industry.

“We’ve shown what we can achieve when we stand united, and it’s now all systems go for Melbourne Cup day, which is fantastic news for all Queensland racegoers and punters.”

Ms Trad said the extra funds meant prizemoney had been increased by 37 per cent since January.

Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the prize money increases announced today were in addition to the $12 million boost earlier this year.

“We believe racing has a positive future in Queensland and I look forward to working with stakeholders from all three codes to build a stronger and more prosperous industry in this State,” he said.