This week, Greens MLA Jo Clay will seek to amend the ACT Budget to phase out the $41 million public subsidy to the horseracing industry. This is the first time the ACT Greens have moved an amendment to an ACT Government Budget in the Assembly since being in shared government.
“The ACT Greens do not support public funding for the horseracing industry,” Ms Clay said. “We understand a sudden cut will affect the workers and the animals, so I will move to phase out public funds to the horseracing industry by 20 per cent each year over the next five years. Despite growing discontent in the community about this funding, I anticipate the Canberra Liberals and ACT Labor will vote to keep giving the $41 million public subsidy to the horseracing industry,” said Ms Clay.
“The current MOU is an improvement on previous MOUs because it has been made public. Government grants, contracts, and the budget are all public documents, so I’m pleased to see that this 2022 MOU is now also public.
“The 2013 and 2017 MOUs were not public. Funding amounts are hard to find. Of the last eight annual reports, I only found one that clearly sets out the funds. I’ve recently obtained partial access to past MOUs, and it looks like over $100 million of taxpayer funds was spent or pledged to the racing industry since 2013 with no public scrutiny.
Ms Clay noted that in Budget Estimates, the Treasurer, Andrew Barr, confirmed that each year, the ACT Government collects “a tiny amount” in wagering tax on ACT horseracing.
“Australian gambling statistics show it’s less than $250,000 each year,” Ms Clay said. “Yet the ACT Government gives $8 million of public funds to that industry each year.
“This MOU is not about jobs. Thoroughbred Park’s wage and salary bill was $1.675 million last year, less than a quarter of the public funds they received.
“In 2011, the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission said the industry should be self-sufficient. The horseracing industry has had enough time to diversify its income. It is not the job of Government to prop up a failing business model indefinitely, particularly one that delivers such a questionable public benefit,” said Ms Clay.
