SA racing minister has “personal agenda” says Racing Australia
NEWLY appointed chair of Racing Australia, Frances Nelson, has slammed the comments made by South Australian racing minister Leon Bignell, who stated that jumps racing was “cruel and barbaric” earlier this week.
Nelson believes that Bignell’s views of horse racing demonstrate a lack of understanding – not only of the sport, but of how racing has a positive effect on the economy.
She also believes Bignell’s push for the sport to be abolished is contradictory to the select committee he had set up.
“He personally pushed for a select committee. He appointed the people on it, they spent 12 months collecting evidence that it should not be banned,” Nelson said.
“I think our racing minister is like a cricketer who is LBW and won’t accept the third umpire’s decision.”
With the Warrnambool carnival fast approaching and the Oakbank carnival in full swing, it’s no shock to see the protestants come out in force, but taking jumps racing away would put a big dent in the economy according to Nelson.
“Oakbank is our (South Australia’s) best-attended meeting. The numbers there on Easter Saturday were equivalent to The Championships on the day that Winx raced. We are a population of 1.5 million, much less than NSW,” Nelson said.
“Tourism have done surveys year after year. We know that the interstate and overseas visitors will not come if there’s no jumping.
“It’s just a load of nonsense.”
Nelson concluded with the statement that Bignell has a “personal agenda” against jumps racing and that he’s going down the same path of Rob Hulls who tried to ban jumps racing prior.
“The man has a personal issue and that should not reflect in his portfolio. He is there to support the racing industry not push some personal agenda, like Rob Hulls (former racing minister who tried to ban jumps racing) did in Victoria… and he’s gone,” Nelson said.
“That may be contaminating his approach. Bignell was at Mount Gambier when a horse broke down on the flat, he was at Port Lincoln when a horse broke down on the flat.
“I assume he watched the Sydney Cup when a horse broke down on the flat, and I didn’t see him put out a press release about any of that.”
I find it unfathomable, that Leon Bignell amongst other decision makers have no knowledge, of the racing industry, and jumps racing in particular. Because of this how on earth can An informed decision be made. I have to wonder are the hurdles held at the Olympic Games next, God forbid a runner may fall and break A leg. This is how ridiculous these decision makers Look, All because they have no idea what they are talking about. Thousands Of jobs in the Racing Industry will be put on the scrap heap, Through the ignorance of uninformed decision Makers. NOT GOOD ENOUGH !!!!!