❓ The Minister for Racing and Gaming outlines the government's initiatives to support the WA racing industry, including tax cuts, governance changes, and infrastructure grants. The industry is responding positively with increased turnover and club mergers.
AnsweredQoN 430Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RACING INDUSTRY - FUTURE
Will the minister explain how the racing industry in Western Australia is responding to the government’s initiatives aimed at securing the industry’s future? Mr M. McGOWAN
Will the minister explain how the racing industry in Western Australia is responding to the government’s initiatives aimed at securing the industry’s future? Mr M. McGOWAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. The member is right. The government has been doing a great job for the racing industry in Western Australia. We will continue to defend and protect that industry, which employs many thousands of Western Australians. Some of the things we have done - which members opposite never did - involve tax cuts, a new governance arrangement with Racing and Wagering Western Australia, and infrastructure grants. Over the term of this government, that has amounted to nearly $80 million-worth of benefits to the industry. The industry is responding. The turnover of the industry is expected to hit $1.3 billion this year. That is a record envied by all the other states. Racing clubs around the state are talking about mergers. The Walkaway Turf Club has agreed to amalgamate with the Geraldton Turf Club. The Geraldton Turf Club and the Geraldton Pacing Club are in discussions about a merger arrangement. We also have the outstanding attitude of the Bunbury Turf Club and the Bunbury Trotting Club, which are putting aside all their traditional differences and are cooperating on a co-location proposal that would provide for Bunbury one of the best country racing facilities in the nation. That is something that I encourage and endorse. I will be working with both those clubs to bring them together in the same facility. Also, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights from the east to bring over horses to participate in races for our great stake money. That is interesting, because the member for South Perth - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Members on my left obviously think they are at the track. I have news for them. They are not. Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. The member is right. The government has been doing a great job for the racing industry in Western Australia. We will continue to defend and protect that industry, which employs many thousands of Western Australians. Some of the things we have done - which members opposite never did - involve tax cuts, a new governance arrangement with Racing and Wagering Western Australia, and infrastructure grants. Over the term of this government, that has amounted to nearly $80 million-worth of benefits to the industry. The industry is responding. The turnover of the industry is expected to hit $1.3 billion this year. That is a record envied by all the other states. Racing clubs around the state are talking about mergers. The Walkaway Turf Club has agreed to amalgamate with the Geraldton Turf Club. The Geraldton Turf Club and the Geraldton Pacing Club are in discussions about a merger arrangement. We also have the outstanding attitude of the Bunbury Turf Club and the Bunbury Trotting Club, which are putting aside all their traditional differences and are cooperating on a co-location proposal that would provide for Bunbury one of the best country racing facilities in the nation. That is something that I encourage and endorse. I will be working with both those clubs to bring them together in the same facility. Also, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights from the east to bring over horses to participate in races for our great stake money. That is interesting, because the member for South Perth - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Members on my left obviously think they are at the track. I have news for them. They are not. Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. The member is right. The government has been doing a great job for the racing industry in Western Australia. We will continue to defend and protect that industry, which employs many thousands of Western Australians. Some of the things we have done - which members opposite never did - involve tax cuts, a new governance arrangement with Racing and Wagering Western Australia, and infrastructure grants. Over the term of this government, that has amounted to nearly $80 million-worth of benefits to the industry. The industry is responding. The turnover of the industry is expected to hit $1.3 billion this year. That is a record envied by all the other states. Racing clubs around the state are talking about mergers. The Walkaway Turf Club has agreed to amalgamate with the Geraldton Turf Club. The Geraldton Turf Club and the Geraldton Pacing Club are in discussions about a merger arrangement. We also have the outstanding attitude of the Bunbury Turf Club and the Bunbury Trotting Club, which are putting aside all their traditional differences and are cooperating on a co-location proposal that would provide for Bunbury one of the best country racing facilities in the nation. That is something that I encourage and endorse. I will be working with both those clubs to bring them together in the same facility. Also, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights from the east to bring over horses to participate in races for our great stake money. That is interesting, because the member for South Perth - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Members on my left obviously think they are at the track. I have news for them. They are not. Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Racing clubs around the state are talking about mergers. The Walkaway Turf Club has agreed to amalgamate with the Geraldton Turf Club. The Geraldton Turf Club and the Geraldton Pacing Club are in discussions about a merger arrangement. We also have the outstanding attitude of the Bunbury Turf Club and the Bunbury Trotting Club, which are putting aside all their traditional differences and are cooperating on a co-location proposal that would provide for Bunbury one of the best country racing facilities in the nation. That is something that I encourage and endorse. I will be working with both those clubs to bring them together in the same facility. Also, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights from the east to bring over horses to participate in races for our great stake money. That is interesting, because the member for South Perth - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Members on my left obviously think they are at the track. I have news for them. They are not. Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Members on my left obviously think they are at the track. I have news for them. They are not. Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Members on my left obviously think they are at the track. I have news for them. They are not. Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. The member is right. The government has been doing a great job for the racing industry in Western Australia. We will continue to defend and protect that industry, which employs many thousands of Western Australians. Some of the things we have done - which members opposite never did - involve tax cuts, a new governance arrangement with Racing and Wagering Western Australia, and infrastructure grants. Over the term of this government, that has amounted to nearly $80 million-worth of benefits to the industry. The industry is responding. The turnover of the industry is expected to hit $1.3 billion this year. That is a record envied by all the other states. Racing clubs around the state are talking about mergers. The Walkaway Turf Club has agreed to amalgamate with the Geraldton Turf Club. The Geraldton Turf Club and the Geraldton Pacing Club are in discussions about a merger arrangement. We also have the outstanding attitude of the Bunbury Turf Club and the Bunbury Trotting Club, which are putting aside all their traditional differences and are cooperating on a co-location proposal that would provide for Bunbury one of the best country racing facilities in the nation. That is something that I encourage and endorse. I will be working with both those clubs to bring them together in the same facility. Also, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights from the east to bring over horses to participate in races for our great stake money. That is interesting, because the member for South Perth - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Members on my left obviously think they are at the track. I have news for them. They are not. Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
I thank the member for Geraldton for the question. The member is right. The government has been doing a great job for the racing industry in Western Australia. We will continue to defend and protect that industry, which employs many thousands of Western Australians. Some of the things we have done - which members opposite never did - involve tax cuts, a new governance arrangement with Racing and Wagering Western Australia, and infrastructure grants. Over the term of this government, that has amounted to nearly $80 million-worth of benefits to the industry. The industry is responding. The turnover of the industry is expected to hit $1.3 billion this year. That is a record envied by all the other states. Racing clubs around the state are talking about mergers. The Walkaway Turf Club has agreed to amalgamate with the Geraldton Turf Club. The Geraldton Turf Club and the Geraldton Pacing Club are in discussions about a merger arrangement. We also have the outstanding attitude of the Bunbury Turf Club and the Bunbury Trotting Club, which are putting aside all their traditional differences and are cooperating on a co-location proposal that would provide for Bunbury one of the best country racing facilities in the nation. That is something that I encourage and endorse. I will be working with both those clubs to bring them together in the same facility. Also, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights from the east to bring over horses to participate in races for our great stake money. That is interesting, because the member for South Perth - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Members on my left obviously think they are at the track. I have news for them. They are not. Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Racing clubs around the state are talking about mergers. The Walkaway Turf Club has agreed to amalgamate with the Geraldton Turf Club. The Geraldton Turf Club and the Geraldton Pacing Club are in discussions about a merger arrangement. We also have the outstanding attitude of the Bunbury Turf Club and the Bunbury Trotting Club, which are putting aside all their traditional differences and are cooperating on a co-location proposal that would provide for Bunbury one of the best country racing facilities in the nation. That is something that I encourage and endorse. I will be working with both those clubs to bring them together in the same facility. Also, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights from the east to bring over horses to participate in races for our great stake money. That is interesting, because the member for South Perth - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Members on my left obviously think they are at the track. I have news for them. They are not. Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Members on my left obviously think they are at the track. I have news for them. They are not. Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! Members on my left obviously think they are at the track. I have news for them. They are not. Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Mr F.M. Logan : And they are losing badly! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members on my right! Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the second time. Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is interesting. As I have said, the Western Australian Turf Club and the Western Australian Trotting Club are jointly funding horse charter flights. I remind the member for South Perth that, as we found out yesterday, Takeover Target was about to go to the glue factory before it went over to England. Unfortunately for the member for South Perth, he is not going to England. The member for South Perth proposed in July last year that the government should fund horse charter flights; it should be the government that does it. Our view is that the industry should do it, and the industry is doing it.
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