A PALASZCZUK Labor Government proposal to stack the Racing Queensland Board with non-industry people is expected to be strongly rejected at a racing industry rally planned for Doomben tomorrow.
More than 600 people are expected to attend the rally, chaired by Kilcoy Race Club committee member Ian McCaulay, to protest major funding cuts and the establishment of a new Racing Queensland Board to oversee Queensland’s three racing codes – Thoroughbreds, harness and greyhounds.
The panel of speakers includs prominent Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote, Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association president Basil Nolan, Redcliffe Harness Club president Bernie Ring, Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club CEO Luke Gatehouse and Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.
Rally organisers said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, new Racing Minister Grace Grace and Racing Queensland acting CEO Ian Hall was also invited to attend.
A further 1740 people who can’t attend have registered their support for three resolutions through Facebook or email.
The rally is expected to put forward three motions:
1. The Industry rejects the proposal to implement a Board with a majority membership of non-industry knowledgeable people.
2. The Industry requires the government to, within one month, appoint a Board under the current structure, with appropriate input from Industry.
3. That until a Board has been implemented and given sufficient time to assess the current situation and devise and agree a strategy, no changes are implemented.
An advertisement in major media outlets last Saturday, December 12, called for expressions of interest from suitably skilled and experienced people to become members of the Racing Queensland Board.
“Supporting the Racing Minister and working with a new Chief Executive Officer, this is a new and exciting opportunity to develop and drive a five year industry reform program and restructuring package focussed on returning Queensland racing to a vibrant, economically sustainable and prosperous sector for the State,” the advertisement read.
“With the Board to comprise seven members, four are to be entirely independent of the racing industry during board membership. Applicants’ independence includes no relevant connection to the racing industry (ownership of horses or greyhounds or membership of a race club or organisation, training or any other similar association) for a period of at least two years prior to appointment. The remaining three members will be selected from each of the three codes of racing,” it read
The protest rally follows massive criticism from breeders, trainers and owners directed at Racing Queensland’s recently released Tracking Towards Sustainability (TTS) Plan.
With Racing Queensland (RQ) acting CEO Ian Hall claiming a projected loss of $28 million loss for 2015/16, the 96-page TTS document includes significant prizemoney cuts across the Thoroughbred, harness and greyhound codes.
In a statement issue issued prior to the rally, Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association president Basil Nolan said the TTS was definitely not a sustainable plan for the long-term future of racing.
“All we are tracking towards is certain doom. The industry is on a downward spiral because decisions are being made by people who have no idea about racing, thanks to the failings of a Government that has no interest in the industry. To start with, to take $70,000 a day off Saturday metropolitan racing is absolutely absurd; while also decimating the country areas – many of which rely heavily on racing for their livelihoods and the social fabric of their communities,” Mr Nolan said
