Mr. Hunter questions the government's plan to sustain the racing industry. Minister Papalia responds, highlighting the industry's value and ongoing efforts to ensure its sustainability despite national challenges.

AnsweredQoN 713Legislative Assembly
Asked
3 December 2025
Portfolio
Racing and Gaming

QuestionView source ↗

Racing and wagering—TAB
713. Mr Lachlan Hunter to
the Minister for Racing and Gaming:
I have a
supplementary question. How can participants in the industry have any
confidence that this government has a plan to stabilise and sustain the
important racing industry in Western Australia?
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt, supplementary
questions do not have such a long introduction to them. If you just want to ask
a question, please do that right now.
Mr Lachlan Hunter: Yes. How can the industry have any
confidence in the minister to sustain it?

AnswerView source ↗

As I indicated,
member—
Several members
interjected.
Mr Paul Papalia: As I indicated, the challenges
confronting the sector in Western Australia—
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt!
Mr Paul Papalia:— reflect those confronting the
sector everywhere around the nation. That challenge is confronting the agency
that is responsible for operating racing in Western Australia and also the TAB
on behalf of the taxpayers of Western Australia. They do that in the knowledge
that, as a government, we value the contribution that the industry makes beyond
just the revenue generated from racing and wagering, in terms of the
contribution it makes right around the state in providing vibrancy in
communities and attractions. Very often in regional parts of Western Australia,
it is the primary, if not the only, event of the year for tourism purposes and
for attracting visitors, and, obviously, it provides employment for many
thousands of Western Australians. That is a constraint that we apply to Racing
and Wagering WA when it confronts this challenge. The agency is doing it and I
am working with it to ensure that we achieve certainty around sustainability of
all codes of the industry for as long as possible.
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt, I am going
to call you for the third time for consistently interjecting. Please stop it.

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