Canberra To Hold Industry Forum Over Legislation
- Wednesday, 10 February 2010 02:22
Canberra racing officials have called an industry forum next week following the decision by the ACT government to keep funds received from the race fields legislation in its own coffers.
The ACT government passed the Racing Amendment Bill 2009 in December which outlines plans for race fields legislation to be introduced effective from March 1 this year.
Under the Bill, all wagering operators wanting to bet on races in the ACT will need to pay a fee.
However, unlike other states where it is proposed that the fees paid will be returned to the racing industry and put towards prizemoney, the ACT government will not be passing on the revenue it receives.
"This is in direct contrast to every other state where race fields legislation has been introduced ... those state governments have maintained the existing funding model and passed on the revenue from race fields legislation as additional revenue to the racing industry," the Canberra Racing Club said in a statement on its website.
"The level of prizemoney and the number of race meetings that the (ACT race) clubs can fund and conduct is under threat because of the government's failure to recognise the racing industry's rightful entitlement to this new revenue stream."
Officials are encouraging anybody with an interest in racing to attend the forum to discuss the sport's future in the ACT.
It will be held next Wednesday at Thoroughbred Park in Canberra.
The race fields legislation will affect thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing and representatives from all three codes will attend the meeting.
