Queensland racing industry strike threat

Key players in the Queensland racing industry are reportedly threatening to strike on two days in protest at the new Point of Consumption tax distribution.

The state government introduced the tax on Monday and announced money collected would be allocated to infrastructure, clearing a debt and the reimbursement to the TAB under a commercial deal.

Industry figures are furious the government did not follow NSW and Victoria and allocate money for prize money increases.

News Corp reported on Friday a letter would be sent to the state treasurer Jackie Tradd and racing minister Sterling Hinchliffe threatening to strike on Cox Plate day, October 27, and Melbourne Cup day, November 6.

The report says the “stand down” would be at Doomben, the Gold Coast and Toowoomba.

AAP has confirmed the move has the backing of the associations representing trainers, jockeys, owners, and breeders.

Leading trainer Robert Heathcote has been outspoken on the distribution decision saying the Queensland industry is being left behind.

“I am on record as saying we have to make a stand now and at the ballot box,” Heathcote said.

Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association president Basil Nolan has also gone on record expressing his dismay at the POC decision.

He said it was deeply disappointing and a poor result for the industry.

“In NSW and Victoria the revenue from this tax is reinvested in the racing industry and that was what Racing Queensland and the TBQA had been lobbying the Queensland Government for – or even a significant proportion of the 15 [per cent to be returned to the industry,” Nolan said.

“Unfortunately, our efforts fell on deaf ears.”

Related Posts

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments