2024-09-05
ACT Labor and the Canberra Liberals have today voted to not consider alternatives for the future of Thoroughbred Park, doubling down on their backing of the horse racing and gambling industries.
“We’ve long known that the old parties want to do all they can to prop up the racing industries, which in turn helps their friends in the gambling industry,” said Greens MLA Jo Clay.
“Almost 60% of the “economic impact” that the horse racing industry generates is from gambling and gambling ads.
“But today the old parties have gone a step further to demonstrate their love for horseracing and gambling by ensuring Thoroughbred Park simultaneously keeps its unparalleled $8M every year of funding and also gets a windfall profit by becoming side hustle property developers.
While the government is already considering upzoning the site for development, they are currently only considering a proposal from the racing club itself. Jo Clay today moved a motion asking them to also consider additional proposals to build an entire new suburb on the site, including things such as schools, medical centres, shops, parks and community facilities.
The move comes just days after Jo Clay once again moved an amendment calling for an end to the government’s annual $8 million funding for the racing industry, more than the funding of all other sport and community sport combined.
“The club is not solvent without this eye watering government funding. That’s why they are trying to move into property development.
“All my motion asked for today is for a genuine process of consideration and community consultation to determine the site’s future. But Labor couldn’t even stomach that.
“Rather than aiding an industry that has lost its social licence and can’t stand on its own four feet, the government could have at least considered building thousands of houses, a new school, and other great facilities for Canberra’s north.
Today Brindabella MLA Laura Nuttall also moved an amendment to Jo Clay’s motion, calling for all parties to commit to not to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding with the industry when the current one expires in 2027.
“Whether the Racing Club is given the opportunity to become side hustle property developers or they are bought out for a fair price and the site is developed into a new suburb, the club has no reason to need more taxpayer funding every year forever.
“To finish off a final sitting week where ACT Labor has taken every opportunity to support horse racing and gambling in the territory, they have decided to give yet another gift to these industries by committing to continue funding them beyond 2027.
Background:
The text of Ms Clay’s motion can be found here and Ms Nuttall’s amendment can be found here.
The Greens statement on ongoing budget funding for the horseracing industry can be found here.