Racing industry restart date a matter for Public Health

Premier Peter Gutwein says he is aware of a racing restart plan — but setting a return date remains a matter for Public Health.

Jockey Billy Egan celebrates his win on Home by Midnight in the 2020 Launceston Cup at the Mowbray Racecourse. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Premier Peter Gutwein made it clear during Question Time on Thursday that the state’s racing industry would not be given a date to resume racing until Public Health advised him to do so.

Tasmanian racing ceased on April 2, making it the only racing jurisdiction in Australia to be shut down during the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision was based on racing industry participants’ need to engage in regionalised travel, which was the catalyst upon which Public Health advised the Premier to shut the industry down.

Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

During Question Time on Thursday, opposition racing spokesman David O’Byrne asked the Premier if he was prepared to give a date for racing to resume, based on an industry proposal put forward by Tasracing that he said had tougher biosecurity measures than any other racing jurisdiction in Australia.

“I know many people who have an interest in racing,” Mr Gutwein said.

“And I can assure you that, like many people in racing at the moment, they are making their concerns and displeasure at this decision known, so I understand fully from where the industry is coming.

“Public Health formed the view that having people moving around the state from region to region and bringing people from rural and regional parts of Tasmania to those meetings, and then returning to those regions, was a public health risk.

“That was why, as I understand it, the decision was made, and I am comfortable with that decision being made.

“In fact, with the North-West Coast and the outbreak there, if racing had continued, there was a much higher risk that could have occurred with the risk of transference of the disease around the state.”

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Mr Gutwein said he was aware of the racing restart plan.

“I have had a conversation with Public Health about this matter, but they will look through this and make a decision based on public health grounds,” he said.

“I have asked for it to be considered because I would like to get to a point where there is a date that racing can work towards, but it is a matter for Public Health.

“I am hopeful that by tomorrow, subject to case numbers remaining low, we can get a positive decision about removing the additional restrictions on the North-West Coast.”

The industry is officially shut down until May 15.