CHAIR (Mrs Petrusma) - The time now being 2 o'clock, the scrutiny of Tasracing will begin. The time schedule for the scrutiny of Tasracing is two hours. I welcome the Minister, Chair and CEO to the committee.
I remind members about the practice of seeking additional information for GBEs. The question must be agreed to be taken by the minister or the Chair of the board, and the question must be handed in writing to the committee's secretary.
Minister or Chair, do you want to give a brief opening statement?
Ms ARCHER - Thank you, Chair and members, for your time today at GBE scrutiny committees.
The Hodgman Government is a strong supporter of the racing industry in Tasmania and we recognise the importance it has on our economy and in our local communities, particularly our regional communities, across the state.
Between Tasracing and the Independent Office of Racing Integrity, funding has increased by more than $2 million since we came to government and is allowing the industry to grow while maintaining enhanced integrity services, an increased focus on animal welfare and making major improvements to racing infrastructure. The Tasmanian racing industry injects approximately $103 million a year into our economy and supports many jobs in rural and regional areas with more than 5500 Tasmanians either employed or participating in the industry in some way. We are committed to ensuring that this momentum in the industry continues.
Tasracing appointed Mr Paul Eriksson, to my left, to the role of Chief Executive Officer in March this year. Mr Eriksson has extensive leadership and financial management experience in a number of roles, including as general manager of finance and IT for Racing New South Wales and as the inaugural chief financial officer of the GWS Giants. Most recently, Mr Eriksson has worked as the group CFO for the Cronulla Sharks and served as acting CEO for four months in late 2017.
I also put on record my sincere thanks to Dr Alicia Fuller, who acted in the role of chief executive officer and did a wonderful job following the departure of Mr Lynch. Dr Fuller's contribution during her period as leader of Tasracing was significant, with a veterinary background as well. Dr Fuller returned to her role of operations manager of racing following Mr Eriksson's appointment. In May, Dr Fuller moved to New South Wales for personal reasons.
On the racing front, there have been many successes across all three racing codes. One particularly pleasing aspect was the success of locally trained horses during the 2019 summer racing carnival. Of the carnival's feature race representing prize money of $2.3 million, 85 per cent was won by Tasmanian horses -
Ms O'CONNOR - How many of them do you think ended up at abattoirs interstate?
CHAIR - Ms O'Connor, allow the minister to finish please.
Ms ARCHER - This is my opening statement, Ms O'Connor, not a good start.
Ms O'CONNOR - I don't need lecturing from you.
Ms ARCHER - It's important to note that the Tasmanian Government takes the matter of animal welfare extremely seriously. In the past year considerable efforts have been made to further lift standards in the sector and I will have an opportunity to explain that later. It is important to note these efforts followed the establishment of the Office of Racing Integrity in 2015, an initiative of our Government -
Ms O'CONNOR - Why aren't they at the table then?
CHAIR - Ms O'Connor. Thank you. I don't want to have to start giving warnings.
Ms ARCHER - when Racing Services Tasmania was transferred to DPIPWE to better leverage off the animal welfare and veterinary skills in that department. Following that rebranding was to emphasise its integrity role and differentiate it from the commercial body, being Tasracing. There is a distinct difference between the two.
In closing, ORI operates independently from Tasracing; however, there is a strong level of cooperation to ensure integrity, and welfare issues are addressed appropriately and are investigated by the Office of Racing Integrity.
Mr O'BYRNE - Thank you, minister, and welcome to the Tasracing people. I will start with the point of consumption tax, which has been a major issue the industry has been debating about where that fair share will go. Essentially it goes to revenue and to the financial viability of the entire racing industry. It was interesting, minister, that you chose not to speak on that debate, and I am asking why you chose not to speak on what is probably the key issue that has been confronting the industry across all three codes for quite some time.
Ms ARCHER - The matter for debate is a matter of reflection, but the Treasurer is quite capable of taking that legislation through on a tax himself; it was his bill. The point of consumption tax is a matter for Treasury and his portfolio. I have had discussions with him on it and I continue to have discussions with Tasracing, racing clubs and all interested parties, and do so in an environment not on the Floor of parliament, and I am very happy to do that. I do not see the point of the question other than I did not make a contribution that day. Other members of our Government ably did so, and it was a matter for the Treasurer.
Mr O'BYRNE - The industry is of the view that the Government is not listening to them and particularly you as minister have a responsibility to ensure that the Government's position on issues of revenue, in particular, are clear. Yes, it is a Treasury bill, but ultimately the industry would expect you as minister to go into bat for them to ensure that there is financial viability, not only for Tasracing but also for the industry broadly speaking. It was interesting that you chose not to speak on the bill and represent your views as minister for the industry.
Ms ARCHER - That is not a question, but can I say, it set the rate. We have engaged with the industry and clubs on the rate.
Mr O'BYRNE - So the rate has been set?
Ms ARCHER - As we've said, it is 15per cent. That is consistent with most other states and jurisdictions. We have had those discussions, so I don't accept the premise of the start of the question about the industry. I certainly wouldn't take your word for it, Mr O'Byrne, that that's correct.
Mr O'BYRNE - You chose not to speak on an important bill for the industry, that's all. I'm just making that observation.
Ms ARCHER - You are talking about a debate on the Floor of parliament, I am talking about the ongoing engagement that I and the Treasurer have had with industry on this matter, and it has been extensive.
Mr O'BYRNE - Minister, did you attend the ministerial council meeting in Perth recently of racing ministers from across jurisdictions?
Ms ARCHER - No, I didn't. It was being held at Rottnest Island in Western Australia. Members would be aware that that is quite a significant distance to travel and takes you out of the office the day before as well as the day and the day after to travel back.
Mr O'BYRNE - We have provided pairs to ministers who go to meetings in Perth, including the Premier.
Ms ARCHER - I wasn't there; I provided my position in writing. I am very happy with the decision of the national register and it is in line with my submission in that regard. Consistent with our position, Mr John King from the Office of Racing Integrity attended that and put forward our position on a number of matters. It is not unusual for a minister not to be able to attend a ministerial council meeting, not least of all to get to Rottnest Island in Western Australia.
Mr O'BYRNE - Minister, to be clear, there was a bill regarding an important revenue issue for the industry. A number of key elements in the industry are very keen on this; it is about the industry's future sustainability. You chose not to speak on the bill and then you chose not to go to the ministerial council meeting -
Ms ARCHER - I didn't choose not to go; there were other commitments in my diary that -
Mr O'BYRNE - So it's not important for you?
Ms ARCHER - Of course it's important. That is why I made written submissions. It is not unusual - and you would know this, you have been a minister - for departmental people to represent the interests of the state, and quite adequately, I might say.
Mr O'BYRNE - I went to every ministerial council meeting.
Ms ARCHER - On the particular matter of national interest to do with horse welfare, of course I made my position very clear on that and made a submission in writing and circulated that amongst all my state and territory counterparts.
Mr O'BYRNE - You understand the message that it sends, minister - those two acts.
Ms ARCHER - You're making a big deal out of that.
Mr O'BYRNE - No, I'm just pointing out the fact.
Ms ARCHER - I certainly haven't been advised that the industry is unhappy with me as minister - in fact, quite the contrary. You're just making this up for the purpose of political expediency.
Ms O'CONNOR - Minister, do you know what happens to former racehorses and standardbreds in Tasmania post-retirement?
Ms ARCHER - Sorry, what was the first part of that? I didn't hear it.
Ms O'CONNOR - What happens to former racehorses and standardbreds following retirement in Tasmania? Do you have any idea at all?
Ms ARCHER - That was a very loaded question at the end, wasn't it? I'm very happy to talk about the welfare of racing animals across the codes. Equally important, of course, is the need to responsibly facilitate the exit of animals from the racing industry and promote their transition from racing careers post their retirement.
It is important to note that Tasracing and the racing industry currently expends 2.12 per cent of stakes directly on equine welfare. It is of the height of importance to those in the industry and Tasracing. They care about their animals -
Ms O'CONNOR - Can I bring you back to the question? What happens to ex-racehorses and pacers in Tasmania following retirement?
Ms ARCHER - As you know, there is currently a register to ensure that we know, from birth to retirement, where horses are. The national decision recently was to extend that post retirement. The Office of Racing Integrity does not currently conduct post-retirement equine welfare checks. However, on receipt of any relevant information they do and would initiate welfare checks in partnership with the RSPCA. I can go to the CEO to fill in further in relation to -
Ms O'CONNOR - Specific to my question.
Ms ARCHER - It is specific to the question. You can do that through me in a respectful manner.
Ms O'CONNOR - I am being respectful to you; don't get so precious at the table.
Ms ARCHER - I will hand over to Mr Eriksson. He might have something further to add to that in relation to the Office of Racing Integrity's role in particular, and it is important to note their separate role in this as well.
Mr ERIKSSON - Ms O'Connor, in relation to your question and what happens to racehorses when they finish their racing career -
Ms O'CONNOR - And pacers.
Mr ERIKSSON - I use the term 'racehorses' colloquially, whether they be thoroughbred or standardbred, if that's acceptable. There is a program when they retire required by racing rules, whether it be the Harness Rules or the Australian Racing Rules, that they notify those organisations that the horse has retired, whether due to illness, due to injury, however it has retired.
Ms O'CONNOR - Being sent to the abattoir.
Mr ERIKSSON - Ms O'Connor, that is not correct.
Ms O'CONNOR - Are you saying that no ex-racehorses are sent to the abattoir?
Mr ERIKSSON - I am not saying that, no.
Ms O'CONNOR - Was there any investigation by Tasracing after the 7.30 Report went to air?
CHAIR - Ms O'Connor, please allow the response.
Ms O'CONNOR - I just heard a statement that I don't think is true.
CHAIR - You can ask a further question on that, so please allow -
Ms ARCHER - I will call a point of order there. Ms O'Connor should be respectful. Mr Eriksson is not coming here to mislead the committee. He knows that the importance of this committee is akin to giving evidence and, quite frankly, I won't stand for that type of accusation today. I will keep calling points of order -
Ms O'CONNOR - Good on you - to buy time and not have to answer questions.
Ms ARCHER - No, until you behave in a parliamentary manner.
Ms O'CONNOR - I'm behaving in a parliamentary manner and I don't need your judgment.
Ms ARCHER - Attack me all you want but not the other members around the table.
Mr ERIKSSON - Ms O'Connor, back to the answer to the question. They are required to be notified to the appropriate authorities once they leave racing. This is why we fully support a national traceability register. They become subject to the Animal Welfare Act and neither ORI nor Tasracing nor any other racing authority has authority or any legal right to do anything about those horses. If our plans are with our Off the Track program in which, over the last 12 months alone, we had over 500 ex-racehorses - not 500 from the same year but over a number of years - we had over 500 racehorses that took part in those clinics. The idea behind those clinics is to appropriately match a new owner with a retired racehorse so that we don't get what is happening in some of the other states, we get a return.
Ms O'CONNOR - Can I pull you up there? This will be my last question on this subject for now, Madam Chair. On the Off the Track program, it says in the annual report, in your report, Mr Eriksson, that you have signed off on, that there are more than 500 ex-racing horses participating in the program for the reporting period. We have here the text of an email from the coordinator of the Off the Track program from April this year, in that past 12-month period that you were talking about. The person writes to a person who owns a horse and is making an inquiry -
We are still reviewing the way the program will actually take horses in for re training at the moment, so, unfortunately, we are not in a position to accept. Please keep an eye on the website for updates.
In April this year, an owner was being told that there was no program in place, that they weren't taking on horses, but you are saying this has been 12 months now and there are 500 horses registered in Off the Track?
Mr ERIKSSON - There are and I would like to take that on notice, if I may, because I'm not aware of that email.
Ms O'CONNOR - Are you saying that in April this year, Off the Track was accepting horses for registration and you are prepared to say on oath that there are 500 horses registered and listed in the Off the Track Program? Through you, minister?
Ms ARCHER - I'm going to call for a point of order. The premise of that question was based on whether Mr Eriksson would do something on oath. Ms O'Connor cannot do that. I've already explained this. Mr Eriksson knows what his obligations are in relation to appearing before a parliamentary committee. First and foremost -
Ms O'CONNOR - This is really important, minister. It's an annual report statement and we need to find out what the veracity of it is.
Ms ARCHER - It is important, but you are claiming you have an email that we haven't seen.
Ms O'CONNOR - I am reading to you the text of an email.
Ms ARCHER - Based on the track record of members of the Labor-Greens opposition -
Ms O'CONNOR - We are not an opposition and you are being pathetic now.
Ms ARCHER - in this parliament, we don't know the veracity of that claim.
CHAIR - Ms O'Connor, this is your first warning. I do not want you talking over the minister, please. Allow her to finish her response and you can ask a question.
Ms O'CONNOR - The minister is talking over me. I go back to the original question, thank you, Chair.
Ms ARCHER - Ms O'Connor might like to produce that email so that we can check -
CHAIR - Mr Eriksson was answering the question, so -
Ms O'CONNOR - Okay. I will certainly not produce that email. I am prepared to say at this table that is the text of the email and that an owner at the time was told that Off The Track was being reviewed in April this year and they weren't taking horses for registrations. Minister, are you prepared to state unequivocally that there are 500 horses on the Off the Track register, as is put in the annual report from this year?
Ms ARCHER - Well, I didn't produce the annual report.
Ms O'CONNOR - You tabled it.
Ms ARCHER - Tasracing did and I'm sure -
Mr O'BYRNE - It's your ministerial responsibility.
Ms ARCHER - Of course it is, and I have to take the contents of the annual report as being truthful. From my advice, the Off the Track program is there to facilitate the transition of horses and there are coaching clinics and that is occurring.
Ms O'CONNOR - Have you personally been out to have a look?
Ms ARCHER - I think Mr Eriksson wanted to address something.
Mr ERIKSSON - Thank you, minister. In response to your additional question, the answer is, according to the records that have been kept, some before my time, that information is correct. I am relying -
Ms O'CONNOR - Are you prepared to table those records?
CHAIR - We are going to stop there, unless Mr Eriksson has something more to say. The call does need to pass on, so I ask you to finalise your answer, Mr Eriksson.
Ms O'CONNOR - It's in a report that's been tabled in parliament.
Mr ERIKSSON - I have no knowledge of that email. To my knowledge, there was no restraint on any horses being accepted unless there were too many horses in the clinic for that particular clinic. I would need to investigate it. I'd be prepared to take it on notice and identify that email and what occurred.
Mrs RYLAH - Minister, the greyhound inquiry during the previous term was significant. One of the recommendations given was to improve the greyhound adoption service. Can you update the committee on Tasracing's securing of our own dedicated facility for the Greyhound Adoption Program?
Ms O'CONNOR - And maybe you could explain why their website's gone down.
CHAIR - Order. Ms O'Connor, that is out of order. This is Mrs Rylah's question. Thank you, minister.
Mr O'BYRNE - Didn't you announce this in parliament?
Ms O'CONNOR - The website's gone down.
Ms ARCHER - After the members have had their little bit to say, this is good news. I have mentioned in contributions in parliament, as I regularly do on bills under my oversight, that I was pleased to announce a few weeks ago the securing of Tasmania's first ever dedicated greyhound rehoming facility at Mangalore. Following an expression of interest process, Tasracing has purchased Mangalore Kennels and very minor works will begin shortly so that the facility can accept retired greyhounds, and will do so and be operational in January.
The facility will be used to run Tasmania's Greyhound Adoption Program, which we abbreviate to GAP. It operates based on protocols that have been adopted nationally to best care for retired greyhounds and ensure their new owners understand their obligations. These protocols include behavioural assessments to ensure that a retired greyhound is suitable to be placed in a family home and be part of the community. The dedicated facility will be owned and operated by Tasracing and will allow public access, enabling GAP to better demonstrate to the community the suitability of greyhounds as pets. They do make wonderful pets.
It will also immediately allow Tasracing to increase capacity for GAP greyhounds from 23 to 54 and provide an emergency shelter option. It is a site that can be expanded on as well, I am advised. Tasracing's goal is to reach a rehoming target of more than 150 greyhounds annually.
As part of the final negotiation process the kennel owners of Mangalore Kennels were offered the opportunity to remain on site as GAP facility caretakers and the offer was gladly accepted by them, I am pleased to report. They are used to caring for dogs. The facility is expected to be fully operational next month. I acknowledge the passion and commitment of other greyhound rehoming organisations and the many GAP families, who do a tremendous job caring for their adopted dogs.
Mrs RYLAH - Minister, can I clarify that you are more than doubling the capacity from 23
Ms ARCHER - Yes, from 23 to 54, immediately.
Ms OGILVIE - Thank you, minister, and members for coming today. My question relates to the Tasmanian Racing Club and their request for some assistance with the long-term strategic plan concept that they would very much like to see put into place. They say the three codes that form the club have faced significant challenges in recent years and that there are significant concerns for the long-term viability of the racing industry in this state. It's a very serious request and questions. Will you support the financial support that they've requested to get that strategic planning exercise underway?
Ms ARCHER - I only received that letter by email about an hour before coming here. It was addressed to me and the Treasurer, a letter from Mr Andrew Scanlon on behalf of the Tasmanian Racing Club and Racing Clubs Tasmania, as he is Chair of both. They have sought a figure for an industry-led long-term strategic plan for the Tasmanian racing industry, as you say. I am very happy to discuss this proposal further with Mr Scanlon and his respective boards to obtain further details.
Ms OGILVIE - They will be pleased to hear that, thank you, minister.
Mr O'BYRNE - The point of consumption tax, as you know, has been seen by the industry as a real opportunity to underpin the financial viability of many elements of the three codes. A number of trainers have indicated, both privately and publicly, that things are very tight and we're not keeping up with stakes from mainland fields. We saw in the implementation of a tax and a few other issues in the industry in Queensland, a trainer's strike - and I'm not saying that will occur down here - but a number of the trainers are very concerned about the sustainability. That leads me to the revenue split with the point of consumption tax.
I understand the industry has asked for a fair share of that point of consumption tax. It is a tax raised from the industry. They are hopeful that the revenue raised will go to stakes and prize money. What is your position on the split of the revenue raised from the point of consumption tax?
Ms ARCHER - We're having ongoing discussions in that regard. One of Tasracing's roles is to represent the industry. So we're also discussing it with Tasracing, which is yet to put a formal proposal forward. As I said, the point of consumption tax will be introduced in Tasmania in January at a rate of 15 per cent and that is largely consistent with revenue or the rate in other states.
Mr O'BYRNE - Apart from New South Wales and Victoria.
Ms ARCHER - Apart from New South Wales and Victoria, which are 10 per cent and 8 per cent respectively. Those discussions are occurring. We continue to engage. I know that both I and the Treasurer are involved in that continuing dialogue.
Mr O'BYRNE - Is it true that you put informally to the industry a 50-50 split of that revenue?
Ms ARCHER - I haven't put that specifically to them myself. There have been discussions -
Mr O'BYRNE - Have other people done it?
Ms ARCHER - as I said - well, the Treasurer has had discussions in his role of Treasurer dealing with the taxes. Numerous things have been discussed. No decision has been made yet in relation to that split, as I've just said. Those discussions continue and I am sure a formal position will also be put by Tasracing.
Mr O'BYRNE - As a part of the arrangement with the new licence fee and point of consumption tax arrangement, you've made a significant reduction in the licence fee paid by Tabcorp, UBET in Tasmania, from a $7 million licence fee for exclusivity on island to $1.5 million. We understand from Treasury briefings that the revenue that would be raised from Tabcorp UBET, would be around $5 million. Given the industry is struggling, prize money is not keeping up with mainland race fields, why would you then give Tabcorp UBET, essentially $0.5 million deduction, which costs revenue to the industry, particularly when looking at the books there is a $2 million loss? You really can't be beggars and choosers around fair revenue. You can't give away revenue. Why was that arrangement reached with Tabcorp?
Ms ARCHER - I know that Tasracing has been involved in - I will throw to the CEO who has been involved.
Mr ERIKSSON - Tasracing has not been involved in those discussions with Tabcorp. That is an agreement between Tabcorp and the Treasury, and we haven't been party to those briefings. In terms of the numbers, and these are very rough numbers that we have that Tasracing has attempted to do, we believe that there will be something in the realm of $12 million to $13 million raised by the point of consumption tax. Then there were negotiations between Treasury and Tabcorp. We're not aware of the contents of the original deed and we must defer to Treasury on that.
Mr O'BYRNE - The question is then to the Government position. Why did you then give Tabcorp a discount on their licence fee? We understand the revenue on a point of consumption tax will be anywhere between 10 and 13, depending on revenue. A part of that is paid by other corporate bookmakers, part of that is paid by Tabcorp -
Ms ARCHER - Mr O'Byrne, this is a GBE for Tasracing, and Mr Eriksson has just clarified that those are discussions with Treasury. I am not in charge of Treasury.
Mr O'BYRNE - It goes to the funding, minister.
Ms O'CONNOR - Point of order, Chair. Can I get some clarity here? You have asked us not to interrupt the minister, but the minister is perfectly allowed to interrupt us constantly, is that right?
CHAIR - Ms O'Connor, let the minister continue. Thank you, minister, continue.
Mr O'BYRNE - Given the industry is in desperate need of revenue to ensure its ongoing viability, why did you effectively give away that $0.5 million to a corporate bookmaker?
Ms ARCHER - You are asking a question at a GBE hearing for Tasracing and Mr Eriksson has just clarified that it wasn't a matter for Tasracing. I have just said that it was confirmed also that it was discussions between Tabcorp and Treasury. You know I am not the Treasurer.
Mr O'BYRNE - You are absolving your role in this as the racing minister.
Ms ARCHER - I am not absolving my role in this. You are putting a question that is a question appropriate for the Treasurer and is best asked in another forum, not on a GBE hearing to do with Tasracing when they haven't been involved in that.
Mr O'BYRNE - With respect, you are the Racing minister and it is your responsibility to ensure the future viability. You will not commit on a fair share of the point of consumption tax for the racing industry -
Ms ARCHER - I will commit on a fair share, and you won't put words into -
Mr O'BYRNE - The tax is implemented on 1 January; the industry is in desperate need of some surety and confidence. Minister, it is unacceptable that -
Ms ARCHER - Ms Butler keeps mumbling. If she has a question I am very happy to answer it.
Ms O'CONNOR - Minister, I want to come back to the annual report and the report by the chief executive officer. Did Mr Eriksson begin at Tasracing in this role in April this year?
Ms ARCHER - I think I said March of this year in my opening statement, Ms O'Connor. Just to clarify it was March, yes.
Ms O'CONNOR - My question is, given that Mr Eriksson has signed on to a statement in the annual report which has been tabled in parliament, this statement:
The Tasracing Off the Track Program has continued to gain momentum with more than 500 ex-racing horses participating in the program for the reporting period -
Through you, minister, perhaps Mr Eriksson could explain to the table what inquiries he made, or whether or not he went out to see any of the Off the Track workshops or program in operation, given that we have had allegations put to us that it was not operational in April this year, and, in likelihood, in July this year?
Mr ERIKSSON - Ms O'Connor, I attended two shows plus three clinics since I arrived at Tasracing. In terms of the comment, 'continued to grow momentum', the Off the Track Program was then in its second year. It had actually started before that, and it grew momentum in that year. I was relying on the information that had been recorded from attendance at clinics and the registrations at those clinics, which, from my review, and from my management's review, appeared accurate. That is what that remark is based on.
Ms O'CONNOR - Thank you, Mr Eriksson. It is not a remark. It is a statement in an annual report that was tabled in the parliament.
Can I confirm that you have seen a register with 500 horses registered as participants in the Off the Track Program?
Mr ERIKSSON - Ms O'Connor, I have seen a register for the clinics, but I have not personally counted every single horse that was on there. I relayed that to my staff and that is not deferring responsibility. The numbers appeared reasonable based on the information that I had available to me that I reviewed.
Ms O'CONNOR - What was the source document for your statement in an annual report tabled in parliament that more than 500 ex-racing horses are participating in the program for the reporting period?
Mr ERIKSSON - The registration information that was gathered for the clinics.
Ms O'CONNOR - This is an important point of clarity here for the table: is there a single register that staff showed you? You have made a singular statement here that there are 500 horses registered and participating. What does that mean?
Mr ERIKSSON - That there were 500 ex-racehorses participating in those clinics based on a count by my staff of the registration data for those clinics.
Ms O'CONNOR - Is there a register?
CHAIR - Thank you; I will come back to you, Ms O'Connor. You have just had four questions in a row.
Ms O'CONNOR - Chair, it is one question.
CHAIR - No, it was four questions.
Ms O'CONNOR - We are trying to find out whether this is a true statement.
CHAIR - It was four questions. Mr Tucker has the call.
Ms O'CONNOR - It's really disturbing when you need cover to be run on issues of animal welfare at this table.
Mr TUCKER - As the minister is aware, racing tracks need upgrading for a number of different reasons. Can the minister please provide the status of the major redevelopment of the thoroughbred track at Elwick?
Ms ARCHER - Thank you, Mr Tucker. I appreciate your ongoing interest, as I do with all members on racing around the table. This is a well-noted time for everybody to be able to ask questions, so I thank all members for their questions, regardless of where they come from.
The surface of the track at Elwick needed redevelopment, so it is a significant investment by Tasracing of $12.5 million to resurface the thoroughbred track. It is on time and on budget, with the laying of the all-important new turf completed just days ago. The two grass tracks have been replaced by a 28-metre wide StrathAyr grass track that will be ready in time to host the Tasmanian Derby on 31 January and the Hobart Cup on 9 February. I know all industry participants are very much looking forward to that.
I also note there has been ongoing participation and consultation with all the interested parties in relation to the progress of the track. They have had regular inspections themselves so that they can be satisfied of the status of the redevelopment, that it is on time, that it is suitable, all of those things that can provide feedback through Tasracing, so I thank them for that close consultation. I think that truly works well.
As some members will know, StrathAyr is a wholly Tasmanian-owned business based at Richmond. It is the head contractor and has employed additional staff for this major project whilst also engaging other Tasmanian contractors to work on the project as well. It has required significant earth works, civil works, service compaction and the latest in laser grading that forms part of the process that will make the track one of the best in Australia. Up to 1900 tonnes of sand from the north-east of the state was delivered each week to the site in the early stages, so we are using other products from around the state, along with other quality materials to make up the foundation of the track. StrathAyr has rolled out onto the track some 64 000 square metres of turf that has been specifically grown at its Richmond property
