Insurance Solution in Tasmania for Visiting Hoops
- Friday, 02 February 2007 00:00
The carnival starts at Tattersall's Park, Elwick, next Saturday (February 10) with the running of the Cadbury Tasmanian Derby.
At a meeting in Hobart today, the Tasmanian Thoroughbred Racing Council (TTRC) agreed to increase benefits to all local and interstate jockeys and apprentices riding in Tasmania.
It was agreed to increase the weekly income benefits to injured riders from $600 per week or 90 per cent of earnings, whichever is less, to $1000 per week or 90 per cent of earnings, whichever is less.
The cover includes race riding, official trials and trackwork for jockeys or apprentices at registered race courses or registered training facilities under the Rules of Racing.
The agreement will run until July 31, 2007. Should the Tasmanian government not have legislated changes to the Workers Compensation Act by that date, the Jockeys Working Party will determine jockeys' insurance cover as from August 1, 2007.
The TTRC statement said that the Jockeys Working Party and industry stakeholders will exhaust all possible scenarios regarding workcover, personal cover and other avenues of compensation on behalf of the industry's jockeys and apprentices moving forward into the 2007/08 season and beyond.
TOTE Tasmania acting chief executive Craig Coleman said he was delighted the issue has been resolved ahead of this year's AAMI Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival.
"It is an outstanding solution of benefit to all jockeys, particularly those coming to Tasmania from interstate," Mr Coleman said.
"We are very pleased with this outcome and now look forward to a magnificent racing carnival. The interstate interest from trainers and jockeys indicates that the carnival has the potential to be the best we have conducted."
The Jockeys Working Party comprises the following who attended today's meeting:
Mr Rod Thirkell-Johnston AM (TTRC)
Mr Trevor Styles (TTRC)
Ms Kim Boyer (TTRC)
Mr Rohan Mitchell (TTRC)
Mr Craig Coleman (TOTE)
Mr Barry Davidson (TOTE)
Mr Ian Wakefield (AWU)
Mr Kevin Ring (TJA)
The TTRC announced the following from today's meeting:
Workers Compensation
Agreed Principles:
Maintenance of income
Medical expenses
Total and Permanent Disablement/Death
Cover to include official race riding, official trials & trackwork
Tasmanian Thoroughbred Racing Council deemed as employer
Contractor Engagement:
The Jockeys working party to engage a qualified contractor to document the final proposal to be submitted to Government.
Jockeys Working party collectively collate and co-ordinate required data and statistical information on behalf of contractor.
Jockeys Working party be readily available to assist contractor with proposal.
TJA to provide 3 days dedicated legal assistance to contractor.
The TTRC and TOTE Tasmania to fund the contractor.
Timeframes / Responsibilities
February 2007 - Contractor engaged
February 2007 - TJA confirm 3 days legal representation
February 2007 - Jockeys Working Party collate and co-ordinate required data and statistical information
February/March 2007 - Contractor commences
February/March 2007 - Subject to confirmation TJA legal rep completes 3 days
End March 2007 - Contractor completes proposal
April 2007 - Jockeys Working Party submits to government
1 June 2007 - Government position requested
June 2007 - Jockeys Working Party Meeting
Media Release - TOTE Tasmania
