MY CALL: GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO REJECT RACING INDUSTRY'S FEEDBACK IN FAVOUR OF A FLAWED OPTION

By David Fowler | Tuesday, February 16, 2016

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.

OPINION PIECE:

You’ve heard the expression “bashing your head against a wall”.

In other words, trying to explain something so clear and simple but not getting any response.

Or getting the response you don’t want.

This paints the scenario between the State Government and the Queensland racing industry at the moment.

The State Government believes the Alan MacSporran report, released last year, should be introduced lock, stock and barrel through the Queensland Racing Integrity Bill which will be debated in Parliament next month.

This report, by the way, was supposed to target the deficiencies in greyhound racing but suddenly got a whole lot wider.

MacSporran, a non-racing man, believes a seven person board encompassing the three racing codes is the ideal platform for the industry to go forward.

And to drill it down further, racing should have only three votes on the seven person board, overseen by an independent chairman.

Racing is a peculiar beast. To pinch an old expression, but in this case a very apt one, “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”.

And the learned MacSporran sees nothing wrong with clumping the three codes together.

He doesn’t differentiate between thoroughbreds, harness and greyhounds. All the same, he says.

So it comes as no surprise that when asked to comment on this state of affairs, the overwhelming majority of stakeholders and enthusiasts give it the big thumbs down.

It’s not a recent blow up. Opposition to MacSporran’s recommendation has been voiced since late last year.

Carefully written submissions have implored the Government to dispense with their stubbornness.

The media has been widespread in its condemnation.

Public hearings will be conducted tomorrow before a Parliamentary committee.

Despite all of this, Racing Minister Grace Grace and her Government trudges along singing the same mantra, “MacSporran or nothing”.

Yet reasons for this dogged belief are never aired. It appears silence is golden for the ruling power.

Are all the industry players wrong? Are we all that far off the mark?

Wonder why I’ve got a headache?

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