Labor leader Rebecca White calls on Government to allow racing to restart immediately

Opposition Leader Rebecca White has called on the Premier to allow racing to recommence immediately, as a top thoroughbred trainer labelled the State Government disrespectful over its decision to shut down the industry without notice.

OPPOSITION Leader Rebecca White has come out in support of Tasmania’s racing industry, calling on the Government to allow racing to restart immediately.

“Labor backs the racing industry’s plan to resume safe operations immediately. We do not agree with Premier Peter Gutwein that the industry should remain shut down for another month,” Ms White said.

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After a thoroughbred race meeting in Launceston on April 1, the Premier announced the closure of racing the next day. Racing was initially shut down for four weeks, but that was extended to May 15.

Last Friday, the Premier announced the industry would remain shut down until June 13 and that a return to racing plan delivered to Public Health two weeks ago by Tasracing would be considered for approval.

“The racing industry in Tasmania supports thousands of jobs in our regional communities and Labor understands the stress that has been placed on jobs and livelihoods across all sectors of the racing industry,” Ms White said.

“In other states racing has been allowed to continue throughout the shutdown period. We will continue to back the racing industry and call on the Premier to allow the industry to recommence operations immediately.”

A Government spokesman yesterday said the Department of Health had a “constructive meeting with the representatives of the racing industry today to discuss preparation for the recommencement of racing”.

Trainer Graeme McCulloch. Picture: PETER STAPLES

One of Tasmania’s most revered thoroughbred trainer-breeders Graeme McCulloch has labelled the State Government disrespectful over its decision to shut the industry without notice.

“I have never known racing to be shown so much disrespect by a Government,” Mr McCulloch said.

“I’ve had conversations with Racing Minister Jane Howlett and I am convinced she is doing everything in her power to get racing the desired result, but I am not convinced it is the same with Dr (Mark) Veitch.

“Tasracing’s return to racing plan has complied with every aspect of biosecurity measures and many are far more stringent than any other racing jurisdiction in Australia, yet we still kept getting knock-backs from Public Health and that makes me think there is another agenda lurking in the background.”

Key players from all codes have lodged their dissatisfaction with the Government over the return date with many claiming decision makers have no genuine understanding or empathy with racing.

The Premier confirmed yesterday that he believed Public Health was about to meet with the industry to work through details of a restart plan.