MY CALL: THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR REAL SOLUTIONS TO A HOST OF ISSUES FACING RACING IN QUEENSLAND
By David Fowler | Tuesday, September 19, 2017
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.
Does the Queensland racing industry need better salespeople?
It’s a reasonable enough question to ask when you see infrastructure projects for other sports given the green light. Think rugby league, Australian rules and netball.
Racing is a great provider for the state government’s treasury coffers and affords a wide range of employment.
Of course, government won’t act if no-one asks.
Racing needs the right people knocking on the right doors.
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Shadow Racing Minister Jon Krause outlined a broad basis for Coalition policies on Radio TAB’s Press Room on Monday.
Certainly topics that will create discussion.
Re-examining the Governance model, supporting non TAB country racing, acknowledging the prizemoney gap between Queensland and interstate, scrutinising QRIC operations and not selling Albion Park were among the platforms.
All the right words but meat needs to go on the bones particularly commitments to non TAB country racing and addressing the prizemoney issue.
In fairness, it’s early days and he agreed to an updated report.
I’ll hold him to it.
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Words can be well meaning but solutions to current issues need to be found.
Money doesn’t grow on trees but monies need to be directed or redirected towards racing to keep it healthy.
Taxation reform or taxation creation are obviously starting points.
Redirecting the wagering tax or introducing a point of consumption tax are mechanisms that flow from the aforesaid.
But if you think outside the square, there are other options sitting pretty on the table.
Unclaimed wagering dividends and interest earnings from the infrastructure fund are avenues worth exploring.
Whatever side of politics lands a game changer to make their words become reality will be immediately embraced.
Doing nothing has been the preferred option for too long.
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Whatever side comes up trumps in the State Election, the financing of non TAB country racing will be an elephant in the room.
The racing industry needs the government to play a stronger hand to the financial commitment.
The current agreement between Labour and Racing Queensland expires in 2020.
Neither party plans on slicing and dicing the current model which is unique in Australia.
If that’s the case, they’ve got to dig deeper in their pockets.
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GRAPEVINE: Which former high profile chair of a major thoroughbred club is ready to “resume” on an administrative front?
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