Industry Working Hard to Solve Pubtab Dispute
- Thursday, 26 September 2002 00:00
In a move that demonstrates the commitment of the Victorian Racing Industry (VRI) to resolving the current PubTABs dispute, Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) presented a resolution proposal to PubTAB operators in talks with the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) last night.
RVL Chief Executive Officer Neville Fielke said his discussions last night with AHA representatives were open and productive and he remains positive that a solution to the current issue can be reached providing that cooperation between all parties (VRI, AHA, TABCORP and Sky Channel) is maintained.
We want to see this dispute resolved to the benefit of the punter, first and foremost. However, as we have stated before, any solution put forward must address the needs of the hardship PubTAB operator in country Victoria as a priority," Fielke said.
"Any suggestion that there is a one-size fits all solution to this dispute is simplistic and is not workable as there is no such thing as an average PubTAB."
"Whilst we are still finalising the detail on the proposal, the VRI is pleased to have put a broad proposal outline to the AHA that is geared towards long term benefits and a fundamental assessment of the distribution network we are not interested in a "band-aid" fix," said Fielke.
The AHA gave a commitment to consider the proposal put forward by RVL on behalf of the Victorian Racing Industry and consequently agreed to move the switch-off deadline until later in October.
We are grateful for the cooperation of the AHA last night and this evidence of their commitment towards resolving this issue in the best interests of all parties," Fielke said.
"Along with the AHA, I also look forward to positive outcomes from forthcoming meetings and a summit of all parties scheduled within the next fortnight," Fielke said.
VRI remains determined to keep the communication lines open and will write to all PubTAB operators in Victoria with a broad outline of the proposals which were put to the AHA last night. This communication comes on the back of recent letters to PubTAB operators outlining existing measures that have been put in place to assist in boosting operator viability and include productivity measures, self-serve terminals etc.
Fielke said he also planned to write an open letter to Victorian punters to keep them informed of the situation.
"We remain confident, that with cooperation of all parties, we will see a sustainable outcome achieved in the near future and we await with interest any proposed initiatives from TABCORP and Sky Channel to also progress a successful outcome for punters and PubTAB operators," Mr Fielke concluded.
Media Release - Racing Victoria
