IT IS like a lethal grenade sitting on page 70 of the current Racing Queensland Annual Report. And, somewhat surprisingly, has to date elicited not a comment, from anyone.
It reads: “Australian Tax Office issued Racing Queensland with default assessments with respect to superannuation contributions allegedly payable to certain jockeys in relation to the quarters commencing July 1, 2009 and concluding on September 30, 2014.
Racing Queensland has lodged an objection against the default assessment and the ATO is considering the objection.”
And how much, or how many millions, are involved is a question you might well ask.
Some idea can be gained by one North Queensland jockey, who rides barely once a week and is somewhat restricted by weight, and who has been told to expect “around $30,000” in back payments.
The mind boggles as to what final figure is for all jockeys state-wide. In the millions.
While the official line from ATO is that the matter with RQ is still not settled, jockeys who joined an action undertaken by Sunshine Coast-based Vertical Super Solutions have already received one payment. One jockey is believed to be entitled up to $100,000 in back super and penalty interest.
Spokesman for the firm, Shane Harding said he has 25 Queensland jockeys in his action to recoup the unpaid super. The claims total $800,000 – for just 25 jockeys
“I have only seen a couple of notices and it seems the September 2009 quarter has been paid in full and about 10 per cent of the December 09 quarter has been paid as well.”
Queensland Jockey Association president Glenn Prentice said the QJA cannot be involved. Jockeys must apply to ATO themselves.
Claims can only go back to the five year period from July 2009 to September 2014. Eligible jockeys are entitled to up to 9pc of race and official trial fees. Prize money is not included.
Mr Harding has told his clients they should be receiving 20 quarters (four quarters over five years) of contributions, but warned that it could take time.
“The action has not been fully settled between the ATO and RQ just yet, but I am very encouraged that the first payment has been made by RQ.
“It had been a brand new type of claim for everyone involved and we can set some legal precedence which is fantastic for the jockeys especially those who commenced their riding careers around 2004.”
THIS is another impediment for Racing Queensland – or the entire industry really, that relies on RQ to administer.
However while the current body is not to blame in this matter, it must bear the cost.
The Eagle Farm fiasco and the delay on the Tabcorp-Tatts merger verdict is only part of the mega financial problems RQ currently faces.
THE failure to deliver a verdict of the two totes is particularly sorry news.
And scanning between the lines it is much to do with the ACCC which inexplicably allegedly encouraged the corporate bookmakers to make a case to oppose the merger.
It was no surprise – in fact it was expected – that Racing Victoria would voice opposition. Certainly it wouldn’t want Queensland ‘trampling into their lucrative Lucerne patch”.
For in recent years, while Victoria has announced whopping stake money increases due mainly to the Tabcorp grants, Queensland has wallowed in its wake. That they would share some of those annual grants was not, and is not, on the RV to-do list.
The hearing into the merger adjourned on Friday with an announcement that the verdict would not be released until September, which is a major disappointment for Queensland.
Most thought the merger was a formality. It would pave the way for the establishment of a national tote, deemed essential to rival the corporate bookmakers.
The bookies who have come from the UK and clearly conquered the Australian off-course gambling industry which our racing solely relies on.
Of particular disappointment too, was part of a submission by Melbourne Racing Club executive Josh Blanksby who told the Competition Tribunal Hearing “pubs and clubs could remove the Tabcorp (TAB) retail wagering service and rely on punters to place wagers through the telephone or on digital applications”.
Can you believe it?
It prompted the Melbourne Age to write: That concept would face stiff opposition from administrators, racing participants and the state government given the revenue racing earns from TAB dwarfs what is received from corporate bookmakers.
Blanksby was commenting on the ambition of racing.com, the broadcast arm of Racing Victoria, to create a racing channel for hotels and clubs in competition to rival the long-standing Tabcorp owned Sky racing service.
However, racing.com's ambitions would not have the support of Australia's 5000-plus hoteliers."The Australian Hotels Association supports a single provider of racing vision into retail venues," CEO Stephen Ferguson said.
There is no argument that Sky could do with some healthy opposition or at least some fairness in its racing coverage that is dominated by NSW events.
No doubt!
But it is the merger that is an absolute necessity – especially for Queensland.
In spite of what the ACCC and its corporate bookie buddies might pontificate.
But those passionate about racing, not just the gambling side of it, already fear the worst.
