Industry waits with bated breath as Premier touts more AFL for the state, ignoring a $100M industry

The racing industry received another slap in the face when the Premier confirmed he was in favour of Tasmania being a part of an AFL hub but made no mention of a racing restart date, writes Peter Staples.

TASMANIA’S racing industry received another slap in the face yesterday when Premier Peter Gutwein confirmed he was in favour of Tasmania being a part of an AFL hub but made no mention of racing being given a restart date.

The Premier said he had signed a letter to be sent to AFL boss Gillon McLachlan expressing Tasmania’s wish to be a part of a national hub should the AFL choose to proceed with the project.

Such a project could present greater health safety risks to the wider community during the coronavirus epidemic — yet an industry that delivers well over $100 million to the state’s economy each year is being given the cold shoulder by Public Health.

Racing in Launceston. Picture: BILL HAYES/TAS RACING

The racing industry has been waiting with bated breath to receive word on a restart date based on a “back to racing” plan that was submitted to government more than two weeks ago.

Racing was shut down on April 2, leaving its 5000 participants to ponder their futures.

It has since had no indication as to when or if the industry can reboot.

Merv Hill, chairman of the Thoroughbred Advisory Network, said racing had been diligent in its response to the shutdown, but he said it was now time for the government to step up and listen to its plight.

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“In early April, the government blindsided racing by announcing an immediate shutdown of the industry.

“The reason given was that racing involved a number of people travelling around the state,” Mr Hill said.

“The industry immediately started work on a ‘back to racing’ plan that encompassed all the protocols that have allowed racing in every other state and territories to continue.

“The plan was prepared by Tasracing in consultation with the industry, with oversight by the Racing Minister.

“The plan clearly addressed all the original objections to the continuation of racing, and it has been reviewed by persons with experience in these matters, and the consensus is that the plan puts forward a workable restart model that presents no danger to the wider community.

“The plan was submitted to the Premier over two weeks ago and the Premier advises that the plan is with Public Health.

“But the industry needs to know when will the plan be reviewed by Public Health.

“As racing has prepared and submitted a plan that addresses all the necessary protocols and poses no risk to the community, we respectfully suggest there is a good news story just waiting to bust out.”

Opposition racing spokesman David O'Byrne. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Opposition racing spokesman David O’Byrne said now that restrictions had been eased on the North-West Coast, Public Health should at least acknowledge racing’s restart plan and take action.

“The plan submitted to government effectively deals with intrastate travel, transport and logistics, while essentially a whole range of other industries that have greater levels of risk — in terms of the spread of the disease — are allowed to continue, but for some reason racing is not,” Mr O’Byrne said.

“It is hard to explain rationally why the government made the decision (to shut down racing) and why they are not engaging appropriately or responding to a very well thought out proposal to restart the industry.”