Push for Tasmanian racing restart amid criticism

Tasmania’s Minister for Racing has promised to restart the $100 million a year industry “as soon as it’s safe to do so” – but there’s still no indication as to when that might be.

THE State Government has responded to calls to restart racing in Tasmania saying it would resume “as soon as it is considered safe to do so”.

Racing journalist Peter Staples has criticised the Government’s pursuit of Tasmania becoming an AFL hub at a time he says the racing industry is being given the “cold shoulder”.

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Minister for Racing Jane Howlett said:

“While the health and safety of Tasmanians remains our Government’s top priority, we are committed to seeing racing resume in the State as soon as it is considered safe to do so.

“In early April our Government announced a support package of $2 million dollars per month for industry participants to keep their racing animals ready for a restart when public health restrictions are lifted.”

The racing industry is worth over $100 million a year to Tasmania’s economy and involves 5000 people.

The industry was shut down on April 2 due to COVID-19 restrictions.