By Racing Queensland Chief Executive Officer BRENDAN PARNELL
As the new financial year commences, the long-term sustainability of the Queensland racing industry has been secured following the recent funding announcement from the Palaszczuk Government.
In conjunction with the State Budget, new legislation will be introduced later this year to streamline a variety of wagering and industry funding arrangements that presently exist.
The state’s Point of Consumption Tax will rise from 15% to 20%, and will now incorporate bonus bets, which previously could be deducted by Wagering Service Providers.
As part of the tax reform, 80% of POCT receipts will be returned to RQ – up from 35% – to help replace three existing funding streams including the Country Racing Program.
As a result, the new-look funding arrangement is set to provide a more sustainable future for the industry’s 43,469 participants and 125 clubs.
As an industry, we are grateful to the Palaszczuk Government for their ongoing support and will make further announcements relating to prizemoney increases, infrastructure investments and industry funding ahead of its proposed implementation on December 1.
You can read more about the funding announcement on Page 55.
Origin squads announced
Late last month, the squads for the upcoming TAB Queensland Origin Greyhound Series were announced.
The Maroons squad, coached once again by Ben Hannant, will be headlined by last year’s Origin sprint hero Orchestrate – from the Tony Brett kennel – who returned from a spell in stunning form recently with a strong victory at Albion Park.
For a fourth straight year, Terry Hill will lead NSW into battle, having won the series on multiple occasions already.
The NSW squad will again be bolstered by champion chaser Jungle Deuce, who will be out to protect his unblemished record here in Queensland, notching up seven wins from seven starts, including the Group 1 Gold Bullion earlier this year.
Just a week after the $525,000 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup, this year’s series will feature two $75,000 Group 3 races – the Origin Sprint and Origin Distance – along with the Listed Origin Match Race.
In 2022, popular race evening makes the move to a new position on the calendar, acting as the finale for the Carnival’s closing night, coinciding with the NRL’s State of Origin decider in Brisbane on July 13.
The card also features the Regional Origin Challenge and Queensland Emerging Origin Stars, with both run over the 520-metre journey.
The final teams for both states will be announced early this month.
NAIDOC Week celebrations
This month, Racing Queensland will continue to celebrate NAIDOC Week with a range of activities planned across our three codes throughout the state.
NAIDOC Week plays a pivotal role in Australia each year; providing an opportunity for all of us to recognise – and reflect – on the fact that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.
For the greyhound code, the running of the NAIDOC Celebration Chase will be held at the Bundaberg Greyhound Racing Club on July 4, celebrating our Indigenous culture through ceremonial aspects including a Welcome To Country and Smoking Ceremony.
As a sport, racing has long understood the power it possesses to unite communities and engender hope across Queensland.
We are constantly striving to create respectful relationships and to provide enhanced opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – and businesses – to become involved in the Queensland racing industry.
In the coming weeks, we will also unveil our new Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, which seeks to embed the knowledge and learning gained from the inaugural Reflect RAP period.
Ekka prizemoney boost
Finally, we are pleased to announce a prizemoney increase across all categories for racing greyhounds on show at the Ekka.
Furthermore, exhibitors will be paid an appearance fee for every entry for the first time in 2022.
The chasers at the Royal Queensland Show compete in the Ekka Sweepstakes, with the winner of each category receiving between $200 and $500 with their blue ribbon.
Overall, the total prizemoney has been increased by more than 30 per cent, with the contest returning for the first time since 2019 after the Ekka was unfortunately cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the last two years.
On average, between 40 to 50 racing greyhounds vie for best on show, although more entries are expected this year following the introduction of a $100 appearance fee.
More information on this fantastic initiative is available on the RQ website.
