❓ Question regarding the Premier's comments on TAB privatisation, specifically the phrase 'roll of the dice' and the timing of the decision relative to the 2017 election. The Premier's answer discusses the challenges facing the racing industry and the potential benefits and risks of privatisation.
AnsweredQoN 264Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TAB —
PRIVATISATION
264. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. What did the Premier mean
when he said privatisation would be the big roll of the dice for the industry
and why will he not take the TAB privatisation plan to the 2017 election?
PRIVATISATION
264. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. What did the Premier mean
when he said privatisation would be the big roll of the dice for the industry
and why will he not take the TAB privatisation plan to the 2017 election?
AnswerView source ↗
We may well do that if we do not get an agreement beforehand.
As it stands now, the TAB privatisation would probably not get through both
houses of Parliament—that is the reality.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
So, Mr Speaker —
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, I am trying to address the question.
Mr P.C. Tinley interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Willagee, I call you to order for the first time. Through the Chair,
Premier, thank you.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Anyone observing the racing industry would observe that attendances at a normal
Saturday race meeting are probably in the order of 2 000 to 3 000 people.
Mr J.E. McGrath :
If that.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
If that; I thank the member. My father liked to go to the races. I was dragged
around the races as a kid and there were large crowds. Attendance at
horseracing events, and particularly I suggest at dog racing events —
Mr M.P. Murray :
That was before telly, wasn't it?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The wit is so piercing!
Attendances at races have gone down. The TAB also faces
competition from private betting agencies, with multiple agencies now
competing. Because they are private, they have greater freedom in what they can
do compared to a government-owned TAB. I suggest that the TAB will probably
lose market share as the years go by and that does not put racing in a good position.
Racing faces the other problem —
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is pointless, Mr Speaker.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. This has to do with
the TAB.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am talking about the gallops. Trying to maintain two large inner-city
racecourses at Belmont and Ascot is not really working out. Those facilities
are no longer of the standard that the public expects for sporting events. In
my view, they cannot survive. Similarly, separate tracks for dog racing and
pacing will probably not survive. We cannot ignore the fact that people are not
going to these races. The online or telephone punter is using other services.
Members opposite can be in denial if they want to. That is the reality of what
is happening out there. If members cannot see it, they must be blind.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, they really do not want to hear an answer. It is childish
behaviour.
The SPEAKER :
Member for South Perth and member for Albany!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
When I use the term ''roll of the dice'', that is a fair comment.
If the TAB is privatised —
Mr D.J. Kelly :
That's your whole attitude to the budget, isn't it—''roll
of the dice''?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
How funny! Has the member been practising that one?
As it stands now, the TAB privatisation would probably not get through both
houses of Parliament—that is the reality.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
So, Mr Speaker —
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, I am trying to address the question.
Mr P.C. Tinley interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Willagee, I call you to order for the first time. Through the Chair,
Premier, thank you.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Anyone observing the racing industry would observe that attendances at a normal
Saturday race meeting are probably in the order of 2 000 to 3 000 people.
Mr J.E. McGrath :
If that.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
If that; I thank the member. My father liked to go to the races. I was dragged
around the races as a kid and there were large crowds. Attendance at
horseracing events, and particularly I suggest at dog racing events —
Mr M.P. Murray :
That was before telly, wasn't it?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The wit is so piercing!
Attendances at races have gone down. The TAB also faces
competition from private betting agencies, with multiple agencies now
competing. Because they are private, they have greater freedom in what they can
do compared to a government-owned TAB. I suggest that the TAB will probably
lose market share as the years go by and that does not put racing in a good position.
Racing faces the other problem —
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is pointless, Mr Speaker.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. This has to do with
the TAB.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am talking about the gallops. Trying to maintain two large inner-city
racecourses at Belmont and Ascot is not really working out. Those facilities
are no longer of the standard that the public expects for sporting events. In
my view, they cannot survive. Similarly, separate tracks for dog racing and
pacing will probably not survive. We cannot ignore the fact that people are not
going to these races. The online or telephone punter is using other services.
Members opposite can be in denial if they want to. That is the reality of what
is happening out there. If members cannot see it, they must be blind.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, they really do not want to hear an answer. It is childish
behaviour.
The SPEAKER :
Member for South Perth and member for Albany!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
When I use the term ''roll of the dice'', that is a fair comment.
If the TAB is privatised —
Mr D.J. Kelly :
That's your whole attitude to the budget, isn't it—''roll
of the dice''?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
How funny! Has the member been practising that one?
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