Mr LUGG - 1999-02-17
Recent media reports suggest that the Turf Racing Cup carnivals are possibly under threat with the new funding guidelines being negotiated. Is there any substance to that report?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I think it is very important to take the opportunity to reassure Territorians that the carnivals, that is the Darwin Cup Carnival and the Alice Springs Cup Carnival, are not under threat this year. There has been a lot of reports in the media that they could be. Let me just state very clearly and reassure Territorians that they are not. The Darwin Cup Carnival is firmly entrenched in the racing calender. The funding is in place for both cups and it will be business as usual for both events.
The racing industry, as we all know, is very important to the lifestyle of many Territorians and it generates substantial benefits to both business and Territorians themselves. The Darwin Cup Carnival is, I think, the Turf Club’s major revenue raising event of the year and it has the support of many interstate racing commentators and participants who make their annual trek north to be part of that event. For many it is the highlight of the racing year. A lot of local businesses benefit, particularly the tourism and hospitality sectors. In support of the carnival, the large influx of visitors into Darwin during this period is very important to our economy.
The government has no intention of withdrawing its support from the racing industry and is in fact this year providing extra support through the provision of additional funding for free bus services to the carnival event.
As I said, there have been some reports in the racing industry about future levels of government funding. Could I just assure the industry and Territorians that as the new minister I will be having discussions with key players in the industry. My door is open and I am happy to work through any concerns that the industry has, but the carnivals will go ahead.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I think it is very important to take the opportunity to reassure Territorians that the carnivals, that is the Darwin Cup Carnival and the Alice Springs Cup Carnival, are not under threat this year. There has been a lot of reports in the media that they could be. Let me just state very clearly and reassure Territorians that they are not. The Darwin Cup Carnival is firmly entrenched in the racing calender. The funding is in place for both cups and it will be business as usual for both events.
The racing industry, as we all know, is very important to the lifestyle of many Territorians and it generates substantial benefits to both business and Territorians themselves. The Darwin Cup Carnival is, I think, the Turf Club’s major revenue raising event of the year and it has the support of many interstate racing commentators and participants who make their annual trek north to be part of that event. For many it is the highlight of the racing year. A lot of local businesses benefit, particularly the tourism and hospitality sectors. In support of the carnival, the large influx of visitors into Darwin during this period is very important to our economy.
The government has no intention of withdrawing its support from the racing industry and is in fact this year providing extra support through the provision of additional funding for free bus services to the carnival event.
As I said, there have been some reports in the racing industry about future levels of government funding. Could I just assure the industry and Territorians that as the new minister I will be having discussions with key players in the industry. My door is open and I am happy to work through any concerns that the industry has, but the carnivals will go ahead.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016