❓ Mr. Murray questions the Minister about ensuring returns to the racing industry and sustainability if the WA TAB is privatised. The Minister states no decision has been made, but consultation with the industry is ongoing.
AnsweredQoN 1000Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TAB — PRIVATISATION
1000. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the Minister for
Racing and Gaming:
I refer to the chairman of Harness
Racing Australia, Geoff Want's, comments at the Australian Harness
Racing Awards last month that in every state of Australia the privatisation of
totalisator agency boards has been a disaster for the harness racing industry.
(1) When the
minister privatises the WA TAB, how will he ensure that corporate bookmakers
return money to the racing industry?
(2) On the back
of Mr Want's comments, what plans does the minister have to ensure that
the new owners of the WA TAB keep the industry sustainable?
1000. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the Minister for
Racing and Gaming:
I refer to the chairman of Harness
Racing Australia, Geoff Want's, comments at the Australian Harness
Racing Awards last month that in every state of Australia the privatisation of
totalisator agency boards has been a disaster for the harness racing industry.
(1) When the
minister privatises the WA TAB, how will he ensure that corporate bookmakers
return money to the racing industry?
(2) On the back
of Mr Want's comments, what plans does the minister have to ensure that
the new owners of the WA TAB keep the industry sustainable?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for the question, but it is based on the government selling
the TAB. We have not made any decisions and we are not looking at that until
the early part of next year.
Mr
M.P. Murray : Discount it—you are on your feet.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Collie–Preston!
Mr T.K. WALDRON : No, we are looking at it. Of course, we
are looking at it. The member knows that an industry group was formed, which I
think was a really good idea, and employed Ray Gunston to do a report. That
report has been presented today and it takes the industry through the pros and
cons of privatisation. The Treasurer and I met with Ray Gunston and Michael Grant from the committee.
Mr P. Papalia interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, you can ask your own
question later. I call you to order for the second time.
Mr T.K. WALDRON : We met with them to look at the pros and
cons. The committee is really happy with what Ray Gunston has done, because, as
Michael said, he has educated them about the real pros and cons of this. An
early criticism—remember, we have not started the full process—was
that we would not consult with the industry. We have consulted with the
industry, and yesterday the Treasurer and I gave the guarantee that as the
process goes forward, we will take the industry with us on that process because
we realise the importance of the racing industry. That was made clear by
me and the Treasurer yesterday. It was great that the Treasurer was at that
meeting. We will look at it, and if it does not stack up, we will probably walk
away from it, but let us have a look at it. Industry itself is more than happy
now to have a look at it because it understands what is going on. Let the
process happen, and then the government will make a decision.
thank the member for the question, but it is based on the government selling
the TAB. We have not made any decisions and we are not looking at that until
the early part of next year.
Mr
M.P. Murray : Discount it—you are on your feet.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Collie–Preston!
Mr T.K. WALDRON : No, we are looking at it. Of course, we
are looking at it. The member knows that an industry group was formed, which I
think was a really good idea, and employed Ray Gunston to do a report. That
report has been presented today and it takes the industry through the pros and
cons of privatisation. The Treasurer and I met with Ray Gunston and Michael Grant from the committee.
Mr P. Papalia interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, you can ask your own
question later. I call you to order for the second time.
Mr T.K. WALDRON : We met with them to look at the pros and
cons. The committee is really happy with what Ray Gunston has done, because, as
Michael said, he has educated them about the real pros and cons of this. An
early criticism—remember, we have not started the full process—was
that we would not consult with the industry. We have consulted with the
industry, and yesterday the Treasurer and I gave the guarantee that as the
process goes forward, we will take the industry with us on that process because
we realise the importance of the racing industry. That was made clear by
me and the Treasurer yesterday. It was great that the Treasurer was at that
meeting. We will look at it, and if it does not stack up, we will probably walk
away from it, but let us have a look at it. Industry itself is more than happy
now to have a look at it because it understands what is going on. Let the
process happen, and then the government will make a decision.
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