Tasmania’s racing industry calls for stakes increase

The Tasmanian Racing Club is calling for further support following Friday’s “underwhelming” State Government announcement.

TASMANIA’S racing industry is calling for further support from the State Government to ensure it can stay out of “serious trouble” post-COVID.

On Friday, Racing Minister Jane Howlett announced a $660,000 increase in prizemoney from next month.

However, Tasmanian Racing Club chairman Andrew Scanlon said the amount was not enough.

“They’ve been flatlining here in Tasmania for quite a while,” he said.

“We expect to see something like $4 million per annum coming into the racing industry as stakes, and the $660,000 announcement yesterday was very underwhelming.”

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He said the industry had lost millions of dollars while shut down.

“We call on the Government to rethink what they’ve done and to embrace a proper compensation package for the industry,” he said.

Opposition racing spokesman David O’Byrne said the State Government needed to follow the lead of other jurisdictions and provide a suitable support package for the industry.

David O'Byrne. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

“The racing industry developed its COVID-ready plans and had good arrangements in place to ensure appropriate social distancing at events,” he said.

“But the Government arbitrarily kept racing shut down while lifting restrictions on other sectors.

“The racing industry in Tasmania has lost millions of dollars and cut jobs. Delays in the restart made the situation worse than it needed to be.”

Ms Howlett said the Government would continue to provide support to the industry.

“Through TasRacing the Government has provided more than $3.8 million which directly assisted the industry and trainers through the restriction period when they needed it most,” she said.

“[Friday] we announced a 3 per cent increase to the prizemoney at a cost of $660,000 in the new financial year, giving industry participants confidence to invest in their racing animals across the codes of thoroughbreds, harness and greyhounds.

“And, through the Point of Consumption Tax the Government will make $4 million per year available for the industry when the revenue is received.”