THE LNP is attempting to race past Labor in the country racing stakes, announcing a $72.9 million funding package over four years.
The LNP policy launch follows Labor’s popular $70m over four years announcement a week ago, under which country racing would be would be recognised as community service obligation.
The LNP’s Getting Country Racing Back on Track policy promises to fully fund country racing with an additional $16.5m for more local support and increased prize money. That’s in addition to funding generated from betting revenue from city and provincial race meetings.
The plan would also see the development of a ‘We Love Our Country Racing Clubs’ fund, a $15m capital works program for smaller rural and regional clubs for minor infrastructure upgrades. The plan also seeks to be a driver of regional tourism, with a $1m country racing events program.
Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington said the LNP would get country racing back on track after three years of “doom and gloom under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor”.
“We understand the value of country racing and recognise what it means to people in Regional Queensland,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“We will deliver a $72.9m funding guarantee to provide certainty and boost confidence to grow the industry over the next four years.
“Country racing is the social fabric of regional Queensland and its future is assured under an LNP Government.”
The LNP has also proposed a minimum bet limit, in an attempt to encourage ontrack wagering and support country bookmakers.
“With a greater proportion of racegoers preferring online wagering, rather than going to the local track, more needs to be done to modernise our regional country racing clubs across Queensland so that they are better placed to take advantage of the on-track experience and to encourage more punters back to the track,” the plan reads.
Structural reform is also envisaged with the establishment of a Country Racing Board as an advisory body. Mrs Frecklington said the board would provide local clubs and racing participants with more control over country racing operations.
Under Labor’s $70m pledge, Queensland’s 100 non-TAB racing clubs would receive guaranteed prizemoney. That move has been widely welcomed by the racing industry.
Country racing is currently receiving about $5m a year in government funds, leaving about a $12m shortfall in running costs including prizemoney.
The $12m shortfall is currently being being delivered by Racing Queensland. The current funding arrangement has resulted in significant criticism from city based trainers who argue that money would be better spent on city prizemoney, making Brisbane more competitive with both Sydney and Melbourne.
The LNP has a released a separate policy for city racing, also with increased funding.