MY CALL: WAITING ON THE POC TAX REVENUE DECISION
By David Fowler | Tuesday, August 7, 2018
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.
Where the Queensland Point of Consumption (POC) Tax revenue is directed will be announced within the next fortnight.
The Labor State Government has confirmed a 15% POC tax beginning in October.
The racing industry has lobbied furiously to receive the lion's share of this tax, believing as it is derived from racing it should go to racing.
A fair point. But there's another aspect to this situation that's worth considering.
The POC tax will not only be placed on racing but also sports betting, a burgeoning industry to say the least.
I wonder whether the key sporting controlling bodies, akin to Racing Queensland, are lobbying Sports Minister Mick de Brenni as hard as RQ is lobbying Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe?
It's not unreasonable to say the State Government has been more benevolent to sport than racing over some time.
But in terms of the POC tax revenue, racing and sport are joined at the hip.
If sport has pushed its barrow successfully, racing might end up a winner by default.
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I mentioned there was some "snakes and ladders" happening at Racing Queensland management level on a recent edition of Radio TAB's Press Room.
Adam Wallish is "on the ladder" and this is an excellent appointment.
Wallish adopts powerful responsibility in the newly created Chief Operating Officer's role.
His brief covers multiple portfolios across the three codes.
Wallish, wasted in the GM greyhounds role previously, will be Chief Executive Brendan Parnell's eyes and ears.
This set-up has been significantly lacking in previous administrations.
Mary Collier's profile has been boosted to General Manager of Corporate Affairs and Policy.
Simon Stout is now General Manager of Thoroughbred Racing while Greg Puckeridge has been appointed as Tracks and Facilities Manager.
Marketing boss Adam Coward is neither a snake nor ladder. He has departed the building.
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Speaking of Racing Queensland, Ross Gove is one of the smartest brains in the building.
Gove is the Thoroughbred Strategy and Development Manager.
He "gets" racing. Many don't.
He shares his thoughts with me on THIS RACING LIFE on Radio TAB this Sunday at 7:15am (Queensland time)
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Apprentice Corey Bayliss has been suspended for two months for betting on interstate racing at the Breakfast Creek hotel.
Gee, that's smart. The "Creek" is across the road from the QRIC's offices.
It's akin to robbing the local store next to the cop shop.
You're $1.10 of getting caught.
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Who will be crowned Queensland Horse of the Year on Sunday September 16?
Unlike previous years, there is clearly no standout for the 2017-18 racing season.
I'm suggesting Crack Me Up but with no degree of certainty.
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