Tasmania the first Australian state to shut down its racing industry because of coronavirus

Tasmania’s racing industry has been shut down effective immediately, rocking those in the industry.

Trainer Gary White has already had one of his clients request all their horses be sent to the paddock. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE immediate closure of Tasmania’s racing industry — the first such shutdown in Australia — has left some in the industry shell-shocked.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has finally taken its toll on Tasmania’s racing industry with Premier Peter Gutwein on Thursday announcing racing was being shut down, effective immediately.

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Tasmania is the first jurisdiction in Australia to close its racing industry down.

The announcement left some industry participants shell-shocked, given they had been complying with all the protocols put in place by State Government and Tasracing to ensure the industry remained operational.

No specific reason was given for the closure other than to say the racing industry was one of many closures, including garage sales and mobile food vans.

Racing Minister Jane Howlett said a rescue package was being formulated by the Government in an attempt to soften the blow to the 5000 Tasmanians employed by the racing industry.

“These are difficult times for all Tasmanians and today our Government made the tough decision to cease all racing in the state from this point forward,” Ms Howlett said.

“I can assure you, this decision was not taken lightly as Tasmania’s racing industry supports thousands of jobs in rural and regional communities, injecting around $103 million a year into the state’s economy.

“I acknowledge this will come as a heavy blow to the 5000 participants across the three racing codes, many of whom are reliant on the industry for their primary incomes.

“However, the health and safety of all Tasmanians must come first, and the public health advice I have received indicates today’s decision is a necessary one.

“The Premier and I have spoken with Tasracing about this decision and a support package will be announced in the coming days that will assist industry participants and maintain the welfare of our racing animals.”

Posted by The Mercury Newspaper on Wednesday, 1 April 2020

Within minutes of the Government’s announcement, one of trainer Gary White’s most prominent owners called for his horses to be immediately sent to the paddock because of the uncertainty.

“I can understand the owner wanting to take his horses out of training and I imagine many others will be doing the same,” White said.

“Four weeks might not sound very long but it could be six months because there’s no guarantees once you shut something down.

“I hope the rescue package takes into consideration all aspects of the effect this closure means to our industry.”

Tasracing CEO Paul Eriksson said these details would be announced as soon as they were finalised.

“Many industry participants will be eligible for assistance measures already announced by the Tasmanian Government and the Commonwealth over recent weeks, both to businesses and individuals,” he said.

Mr Eriksson said he noted the Premier’s comments that the public health advice about the industry continuing to operate was clear, and while disappointed, the Government had little choice but to follow that advice.

“Animal welfare will be a key issue for the industry to manage during this shutdown period,” he said.

“These racing animals are high-performance athletes and their care, exercising and maintenance is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week task.

“Stopping racing does not stop this need – lower exercise regimes, which this shut down will enforce, could contribute to other issues upon our return.

“Tasracing will work closely with the Racing Minister on the detail of a support package for the Tasmanian racing industry following today’s announcement.”