New legislation that will enable Tasmania to charge wagering operators for the right to publish Tasmanian race fields information was tabled in State Parliament in Launceston today.

The Minister for Racing, Michael  Aird said that the legislation was in response to both New South Wales and Victoria enacting their own race fields legislation.

 “The proposed legislation is in keeping with the Government’s commitment to maximising financial returns to the racing industry in an increasingly competitive national racing market,” Mr Aird said.

“Without the ability to collect publication fees, Tasmania risks being financially disadvantaged in the national market place by not being able to recoup any of the considerable outlay that will automatically flow from interstate jurisdictions charging Tasmania for access to their race fields information.”

Under the new Racing Regulation Amendment (Race Fields) Bill 2008, all wagering operators, regardless of where they are based in Australia, would be charged a publication fee for such information and would also be required to comply with integrity conditions.

Under the new legislation, determination of the publication fee would be based on the gross returns that a wagering operator achieves from the publishing of Tasmanian race fields.

“I believe that the use of this model is the most appropriate and equitable approach,” Mr Aird said.

“The Tasmanian model will be in contrast to the approach adopted by New South Wales which has elected to determine the fee based on a wagering operator’s turnover.

“I do not believe that the New South Wales model is equitable or commercially realistic in the long-term.

“I am also advised that some wagering operators, including Betfair, will be challenging aspects of New South Wales’ administration of the race fields legislation.

“The national landscape with respect to race fields is constantly changing.

“However, I want to make Tasmania’s position very clear.

“Tasmania will be acting to secure the future sustainability of the Tasmanian racing industry by charging operators for the right to publish Tasmanian race fields information based on a gross revenue model.”

Mr Aird said that the Government would continue to monitor movements in other jurisdictions regarding the most appropriate time to enact this Bill and its subordinate legislation.