Jane Howlett,Minister for Racing
The Tasmanian Government is committed to assisting the State's racing industry get back on its feet.
Today's announcement that racing will re-start in Tasmania on 13 June will provide the industry with the certainty it needs to move forward.
While it is acknowledged that an earlier re-start would be preferred by some industry participants, the re-commencement date was decided on by expert public health advice and the health and safety of all Tasmanian's must be our number one priority.
Tasracing's Return to Racing Plan outlines a comprehensive set of controls to enable race meetings across the three codes to be conducted whilst adhering to the highest health and safety standards.
The Government has committed $2 million per month in assistance to the industry during the racing shutdown. Tasracing has also confirmed that is does not expect any change to stakes money for the remainder of the current period.
I thank the industry leaders from Tasracing, the Office of Racing Integrity and the participants across all three codes who have worked constructively with the Government on the Return to Racing plan, which was submitted to public health for assessment.
I am confident that with the industry's cooperation, racing can return safely on 13 June to the benefit of more than 5000 Tasmanians who are direct and indirect participants.
