Bligh Government Considers Major Funding Boost

21-Dec-2009: The Bligh Government is considering a major capital injection for the racing industry, Minister responsible for Racing Peter Lawlor said.

Senior government officials met this week with the Chairs of the three racing control bodies - Queensland Racing Limited, Queensland Harness Racing Limited and Greyhounds Queensland Limited to look at ways to strengthen and unite the industry through an integrated control body.

"A number of racecourses are in urgent need of capital expenditure if the industry is going to remain competitive and grow in Queensland," Mr Lawlor said.

"The racing industry is worth more than $2 billion in Queensland, which helps support local economies, tourism and jobs.

"We want to help revitalise the industry's ageing capital stock and provide a much needed confidence boost for the racing industry as a whole.

"The industry is committed to ensuring it is efficiently and effectively conducting its business and the Chairs of the three control bodies have agreed to work together for a united industry.

Chair of Queensland Racing Bob Bentley said the foresight of the Bligh Government in facilitating and bringing forward a commitment to deliver an integrated Control Body is a great initiative.

"It will bring enormous benefits to all racing codes in Queensland, especially the Harness and Greyhound codes.

"This initiative will deliver superior infrastructure and will lead to increases in prize money and growth across all codes.

Chair of Greyhounds Queensland Kerry Watson said she will work with the government and the other codes to ensure a positive outcome for the greyhound industry and the Queensland racing industry as a whole.

Chair of Queensland Harness Racing Bob Lette said he welcomed the fact that the Government has acknowledged the importance of the Racing Industry to the Queensland economy.

"This proposal will lead to major benefits for all thr ee racing codes," he said.

"The details still need to be worked through but I am sure there will be significant good will by all three codes to make it work which will form common ground for the benefit of the Queensland Racing Industry.

"The Racing Industry (particularly Harness) requires significant capital investment in Infrastructure and this is a very positive approach from Government to achieve this end."

The three control bodies will meet with the Treasurer and Minister Lawlor at the beginning of January to present a combined governance proposal for the future.



Author: The Honourable Peter Lawlor, Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading