Mr BARRETT - 2015-04-30
The racing industry is very important for our tourism industry as the Cup Carnival attracts people from all over the country and overseas. Can you please update the House on the Northern Territory government’s contribution to the racing industry in Budget 2015-16?
ANSWER
Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for his question. He understands economics and jobs. Interjections have been flowing freely about pork barrelling and things like that. On this side of the House we are worried about jobs, unlike you. You do not seem to understand anything about jobs. You claim to, but your actions and words do not back that up. I will give you some facts.
Horse racing in the Territory touches one in five jobs in the Northern Territory. I am not sure whether it runs third or fourth in the Territory, but in New South Wales it is the second-largest industry. It is a huge industry.
The Country Liberal government has supported that industry out of the tax take by granting funds to the racing industry. Race tracks in the Northern Territory are gearing up for another great season. The Darwin Cup is coming up in a few months, and this weekend in Alice Springs the cup gets under way in the Red Centre. I will see you there if I am lucky.
To the racing industry, the tourism industry and the locals who love to come to the track and enjoy the festivities, the allocation of funding is great news. The Northern Territory government and the Darwin Turf Club will build a pedestrian underpass to improve the safety at Fannie Bay race track.
As a result of the sad death of Ms Simone Montgomerie, the coronial inquest into that incident, which concluded in December 2014, recommended against establishing crossings in the track to the infield near the finish line and supported the proposal of an underpass.
The Darwin Turf Club will receive $250 000 in funding to assist in the construction of a pedestrian underpass as part of the Giles government’s commitment to the racing community and the safety of Territorians.
An additional $150 000 has been allocated to the construction of that underpass by the Northern Territory government from the workers compensation reserve to make it safe for Territorians at the track.
The Northern Territory government is working with the racing industry and talking to stakeholders to ensure there is minimal disruption to Territorians during race meets as a result of upgrades and changes in the industry. By providing over $15m in funding to the racing industry in the 2015 budget, the Giles government is continuing to commit to and build on funding allocated to the Darwin Turf Club and Thoroughbred Racing NT.
The safety of all Territorians is paramount to the Giles government, and we are working with the racing industry to increase track safety and enhance the experience for everyone visiting Fannie Bay race track.
I have been to the track today with the CEO and he is pleased the construction will get under way as soon as it can. They led me to believe it might happen after the cup. We will give them the cheque so they can start tomorrow.
ANSWER
Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank the member for his question. He understands economics and jobs. Interjections have been flowing freely about pork barrelling and things like that. On this side of the House we are worried about jobs, unlike you. You do not seem to understand anything about jobs. You claim to, but your actions and words do not back that up. I will give you some facts.
Horse racing in the Territory touches one in five jobs in the Northern Territory. I am not sure whether it runs third or fourth in the Territory, but in New South Wales it is the second-largest industry. It is a huge industry.
The Country Liberal government has supported that industry out of the tax take by granting funds to the racing industry. Race tracks in the Northern Territory are gearing up for another great season. The Darwin Cup is coming up in a few months, and this weekend in Alice Springs the cup gets under way in the Red Centre. I will see you there if I am lucky.
To the racing industry, the tourism industry and the locals who love to come to the track and enjoy the festivities, the allocation of funding is great news. The Northern Territory government and the Darwin Turf Club will build a pedestrian underpass to improve the safety at Fannie Bay race track.
As a result of the sad death of Ms Simone Montgomerie, the coronial inquest into that incident, which concluded in December 2014, recommended against establishing crossings in the track to the infield near the finish line and supported the proposal of an underpass.
The Darwin Turf Club will receive $250 000 in funding to assist in the construction of a pedestrian underpass as part of the Giles government’s commitment to the racing community and the safety of Territorians.
An additional $150 000 has been allocated to the construction of that underpass by the Northern Territory government from the workers compensation reserve to make it safe for Territorians at the track.
The Northern Territory government is working with the racing industry and talking to stakeholders to ensure there is minimal disruption to Territorians during race meets as a result of upgrades and changes in the industry. By providing over $15m in funding to the racing industry in the 2015 budget, the Giles government is continuing to commit to and build on funding allocated to the Darwin Turf Club and Thoroughbred Racing NT.
The safety of all Territorians is paramount to the Giles government, and we are working with the racing industry to increase track safety and enhance the experience for everyone visiting Fannie Bay race track.
I have been to the track today with the CEO and he is pleased the construction will get under way as soon as it can. They led me to believe it might happen after the cup. We will give them the cheque so they can start tomorrow.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016