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ACT racing industry outcry for adequate funding

By SIMON DINOPOULOS
THE Canberra Racing Club Committee is planning to escalate its fight for more Government funding.

In a public forum held by the committee on Wednesday 17 Febuary, 265 people packed out the Black Opal Room at Thoroughbred Park eager to discuss the proposed funding model for racing in the ACT.

At the present the Government proposed funding model is the lowest of any State or Territory at 4.5% of turnover, Victoria is 6.3% and NSW is 5.1%. The new model is to cut the 4.5% to 3.9% reducing the funding by an estimated $880,000.

The Canberra Racing Club’s chairman, Mr Geoff Bloom, believes the cut will have a detrimental effect on the racing industry.

“It is essential that the ACT Government reconsiders its position to ensure the survival of the industry and thereby securing the future of 85 full time positions and the 400 people who rely on Canberra racing for all or part of their income,” he said.

The cut would also result in a reduction of prize money, a key factor in making Thoroughbred Park appealing to trainers. More trainers will go elsewhere. The Minister for Gaming and Racing, Andrew Barr, believes it is hard to find a balance, given the increasing number of sporting industries in the ACT. “The Government has had to decide how much support to give the racing industry along with various other sports and teams, including the Children’s Physical Activity Foundation, the Capitals, the Raiders and the Brumbies,” he said.

However he is not surprised at the outcry from the Canberra Racing Committee as he believes it is very hard to completely satisfy every industry.

“The industry may not be 100 per cent happy with the level of funding on offer, but then again, it is rare for any group to be completely satisfied with the level of funding provided by any government,” he said.

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