A better deal on the Point of Consumption Tax and a greater investment in racing clubs and infrastructure are on the table under Labor's enhanced racing industry support package.
Shadow Racing Minister David O'Byrne said the Liberal Party has taken Tasmania's racing industry for granted for too long.
"The Labor Party knows how important the racing industry is to Tasmania's economy, in particular to the economies of many of our regional communities.
"And we know how unfairly the industry has been treated over the past year, and how the 5,000 Tasmanians who work in the industry have been taken for granted.
"Labor will always back our racing industry."
Mr O'Byrne said Labor would conduct an external independent review into the governance, roles and operations of both TasRacing and the Office of Racing Integrity.
"We will consult with race clubs and associations to determine the scope of the review and ensure a person with the relevant skills and knowledge is appointed to conduct it," Mr O'Byrne said.
"We need to find the appropriate governance model for the Tasmanian racing industry to create a vibrant and financially sound racing industry for the long-term.
"This will play a critical role in increasing employment growth, participant expenditure and community confidence within this sector."
Mr O'Byrne said Labor will cap State Government revenues from the Point of Consumption Tax at $7 million per year and provide 100% of revenues above this back to the industry.
"We believe industry funding should be designed in a way that will increase participation and ownership," Mr O'Byrne said.
"By capping the tax at $7 million we anticipate this will result in revenues to the industry of approximately $8 million per year.
"By giving the industry a better deal from the Point of Consumption Tax and reinvesting savings found in TasRacing, Labor will deliver a 20% increase in stakes money over the next four years.
"We will also extend the successful Tasbred Scheme, with an additional $1.6 million over the next four years, giving longer term certainty to the industry
"This will support strong growth across all our racing codes into the future."
A majority Labor Government will also:
- Invest an additional $1.6 million into the TasBred scheme over the next four years and work towards our shared goal of including a TasBred bonus on every maiden race in Tasmania by 2026. Labor will work closely with the Harness Breeding Industry to grow the current Tasbred scheme to a similar level of the Thoroughbred Tasbred scheme.
- Deliver a reintroduction of racing industry training courses that support Apprenticeships, traineeships and careers across the industry.
- Continue the Off the Track programs for horses and conduct a review of the current operating model of the Greyhound Adoption Program so retired racing animals find suitable whole of life homes.
- Support racing clubs and invest in racing infrastructure including the replacement of pacing and greyhound tracks in the North West of the State, and an investment of invest $3 million in the Devonport Racing Club, Longford Racecourse and Brighton Training Centre.
David O'Byrne MP
Shadow Racing Minister
