Dr WOODRUFF - In 2015 the then minister for Racing, now the Premier, abolished indexation of Tasracing grants. He said:
We want a self-sustaining racing industry without having to take money from health and education to prop up the industry.
Since 2020 Tasracing's revenue has grown enormously. There's been $7 million from the new point of consumption tax on gamblers and over $10 million in racing revenue this year. That's more than a $17 million increase in revenue this year. The Government's grant funding has increased by $3 million this year, which is an 8 per cent funding increase approved. Why hasn't your Government's funding decreased, given the very substantial increase in Tasracing's own-source revenue? Not only are you not cutting subsidies to Tasracing, you're ramping them up. It looks like you've backflipped on your policy.
Mr ELLIS - I'll make a couple of points, Dr Woodruff. I think the numbers clearly rebut your argument that people aren't interested in the racing industry because revenue is increasing and -
Dr WOODRUFF - There's a lot of money to be made on gambling in the racing industry, that's for sure.
CHAIR - Order.
Mr ELLIS - Well, it's a punter's sport. That's what people do, they bet on it - that's kind of the point. As I say, I think it probably disproves some of the earlier arguments that you were making.
Tasracing has done a lot to improve own-source revenue in previous years and we're at a very high level of revenue now, which is fantastic and what we want to see. I mentioned before, we want racing to be fair, humane and financially sustainable, and that's a critical part of it because it helps us to ensure it continues being a part of the way of life here in Tasmania. We're celebrating the 150th Hobart Cup this summer racing festival and I think that shows that generations of Tasmanians have wanted to be a part of it.
In terms of the broader funding deed, I think the Greens are probably belling the cat that item 1 in whatever dirty deal they're hoping to do with the Labor Party would be to defund racing in this state, and that's kind of key to the way that they're going to operate.
We have absolutely no intention of going down that path. We're strong supporters of racing and we believe it's important to ensure it has a bright future. There's plenty that can be done in terms of increasing own-source revenue and the point of consumption tax has been broadly welcomed by the industry because it is also helping to enable the demonstration that this industry is a big generator financially for the state, and that's putting money back into racing but it's also putting back into schools and hospitals as well.
Dr WOODRUFF - Unfortunately, minister -
CHAIR - Order.
Mr ELLIS - You also make the point around where that funding has come from. It's come from Labor selling the Tote
Mr ELLIS - you also make the point around where that funding has come from -
Dr WOODRUFF - Unfortunately minister -
CHAIR - Order.
Mr ELLIS - It's come from Labor selling the Tote. That is what they do in government: they sell out the racing industry when they're in government, and that's why I hope they never get back there.
Dr WOODRUFF - Thank you, minister. I'll ask you another question on the back of that. In their submission to the draft Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2023, Tasracing indicated they want additional funding -
Mr ELLIS - Sorry, Dr Woodruff, could you start that question again. I shouldn't have been so rude.
Dr WOODRUFF - Yes, you were rude. In the draft Racing Regulation and Integrity Act, Tasracing has indicated that they want an additional amount of funding, potentially in the order of $5.8 million, as a result of that bill. Is it your intention to provide them with additional funding when this bill passes, which would be more money out of health and education and against what used to be your party's policy?
Mr ELLIS - The important point to note here is around the legislation. It'll establish a Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commission and that will be the tough cop on the beat that sets the integrity and welfare framework, and then Tasracing will have a key -
Mr WINTER - They could even check workers comp insurance. You never know.
Mr ELLIS - I'll follow up on that one shortly, Mr Winter. The other one is around bringing some of the race day integrity functions back into Tasracing and we think there's strength in that. It's based on industry best practice in other jurisdictions as well. Tasracing will be providing critical integrity functions as part of that. We'll work with Tasracing around ensuring the funding situation.
Dr WOODRUFF - So, you'll be giving more money to do that? Additional funding to Tasracing is what you are considering?
Mr ELLIS - We're continuing to work closely as part of the funding arrangements. As I mentioned, with the regulation, it would create a new Tasmanian Racing Integrity Commission and also bring in house day to day racing management back into Tasracing.
Dr WOODRUFF - Of all the money that goes to Tasracing only $364 000 is allocated to animal welfare and $1.3 million of the Government's money goes to breeding bonuses that actively undermine animal welfare outcomes. Are you going to correct the balance and put far more money into animal welfare and be harder on the people who are abusing animals in that racing industry?
Mr ELLIS - Dr Woodruff, I'll pass over to the chair shortly but can I say there's strong investment across government in terms of animal welfare and we work closely with partners like RSPCA and others but it is important in this discussion to acknowledge we have a difference of opinion. You don't want to see a future for the racing industry. You want to kill off the racing community. We don't believe that.
Dr WOODRUFF - We care about animal welfare.
Mr ELLIS - And so do we Dr Woodruff. It's completely patronising to everyone around this table who believe in animal welfare -
Dr WOODRUFF - It's a shamefully low amount of money that you put into animal welfare.
CHAIR - Order.
Mr ELLIS - And everyone in the racing community as well, who believe in animal welfare, to think that you're somehow the lone voice in this. We all want to ensure that animals are safe and well as part of it.
Dr WOODRUFF - Three quarters of Tasmanians want to end the funding, just saying.
CHAIR - Order.
Mr ELLIS - Can I pass over to the Tasracing team to provide a further update?
Mr JENKINS - I might make a comment before passing to Dr Lenz and Mr Heald. A point of clarity, in terms of funding being provided to Tasracing when under the proposed bill, it's not incremental funding that's new to the racing industry, it's a direct transfer and it's a nil all neutral position of funding that is currently provided to the Office of Racing Integrity and when the ORI ceases to exist and the Tas Racing Integrity Unit is created, the funding will move across via a mechanism yet to be determined but it is not an incremental $5.8 million.
